It's Your Smile. Protect It!
A smile is an amazing thing. A simple smile can speak volumes,
bridging language, religious, and political barriers. It is something we all
share and use daily, so it is important to keep your smile as healthy as possible.
Sadly, many people do not practice the key ways to keeping your smile healthy.
There are four very important steps to take in order to
keep your smile in tip-top shape.
Step
1 – Visit your dentist twice a year.
Going to the dentist helps
you to catch and fix oral problems in their early stages. This can lead to
faster and more cost effective interventions and treatments. (Sims, 2011)
If not caught early, more serious problems which require more complicated and
expensive treatment(s) and even tooth loss can occur. (Sims, 2011)
Visit your dentist at least once every six months for a thorough cleaning and
examination. (Why are regular dental visit important?,
2012)
Step
2 – Brush your teeth twice a day.
Brushing helps to clean
plaque, food particles, and temporary stains off of your teeth. The American
Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes each.
Soft-bristle brushes are best as they reduce the irritation of gums and a new
toothbrush should be used every three to four months. Be sure to brush all
surfaces of the teeth, varying the motion of the brush. It is also important to
use a toothpaste which contains fluoride to keep teeth healthy and strong. (American
Dental Association, 2012)
Step
3 – Floss your teeth once a day.
Flossing removes plaque from
between the teeth, where your toothbrush cannot reach. If the plaque is not
removed hardens and becomes calculus. There are several different products you
can use to floss your teeth including typical dental floss, interdental
cleaners, and special brushes. (American Dental Association, 2012)
Steps
4 – Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks.
High amount of sugar and
acid in your diet can cause tooth decay. Limit the amount of high-sugar foods
and sodas you drink to help keep your teeth strong and healthy. Limit snacking,
if possible, and be sure to drink lots of water, as well. (American Dental Association, 2012)
By following these four simple steps, you will help to
help prevent tooth decay and other oral problems and ensure that your mouth
stays clean, fresh, and healthy for years to come. Keep on smiling!
Works Cited
American Dental Association. (2012). Brushing Your
Teeth. Retrieved October 2012, from Mouth Healthy:
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/brushing-your-teeth.aspx
American Dental
Association. (2012). Diet and Dental Health. Retrieved October 2012,
from Mouth Healthy:
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/diet-and-dental-health.aspx
American Dental
Association. (2012). Flossing. Retrieved October 2012, from Mouth
Healthy: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/flossing.aspx
Marcus, M. B. (2009,
March 11). Many Americans say they forgo routine dental care. Retrieved
September 2012, from USAToday:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-10-dental-skip_N.htm
Sims, J. (2011,
January 13). Regular dental visits are important. Retrieved September
2012, from Delta Dental:
http://oralhealth.deltadental.com/Adult/PreventiveCare/22,Delta72
Why are regular
dental visit important? (2012).
Retrieved September 2012, from dentalcare.com:
http://www.dentalcare.com/en-US/dental-education/patient-education/regular-english.aspx
1 Comments:
Good info! If you go to the dentist twice a year, brush twice a day, and floss once a day, is it ok to have acidic and/or sugary things in your diet? As long as it's not in excess?
Lauren Higgins
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