Dental Care Tips for Adults and Children
Chances are, these tips aren’t new to you, but sometimes we all need a little reminder! Here are a few basics for keeping teeth healthy and strong.
Tips for Adults
- Brush twice each day and floss (see below!) at least once.
- Visit your dentist at least twice each year.
- If you can’t brush right after eating sugary foods, swish and swallow water or chew sugar-free gum for a few minutes!
- Did you know that crunchy foods like apples clean your teeth naturally?
- Hard foods – like popcorn kernels, jawbreakers, and ice – can break your teeth. Be careful!
- Too much coffee, tea, and wine can stain your teeth over time.
- Drink more water
- Teeth are for smiling and eating… they aren’t tools! Use staple removers and scissors for removing staples and opening packages!
Tips for Kids
- Brush and floss twice a day.
- Visit your dentist at least twice each year.
- Limit sugary foods like candy, juices and pop. Drink more water!
- If you wear braces, clean between your brackets and bands every day.
Why is Flossing so Important?
Think of it like this… if you brush (great!) but don’t floss, it’s like washing your hands without washing between your fingers! The palms and backs of your hands may look clean, but you will still have hidden dirt and germs between your fingers that could make you or others sick. By curving the floss around each tooth in a “C” shape you will be able to loosen and remove disease causing plaque and debris from between your teeth and even just a bit below the gumline. At Calkins dental we can give you a quick demonstration to make certain your technique will keep your teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible. Better brushing AND flossing almost always means fewer cavities and less gum disease.