Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?

What have you done to keep your smile healthy and happy today? 

If you’ve ever dealt with decay or other issues in the past then chances were good it was because your oral routine wasn’t as good as you thought it was. Our Lakeview, Chicago dentist Dr. Scott Emalfarb wants to be able to give everyone a clean bill of health during their next six-month checkup, so here are some ways to promote a healthier smile right now,

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush

A toothbrush with hard bristles may seem like it will do a better job of cleaning your teeth, but the problem is that it can wear away tooth enamel and possibly damage gums. If you already have a heavy hand when brushing, a hard-bristled toothbrush is going to cause even more problems. Always choose a soft-bristled toothbrush, and if you are guilty of pressing too hard on your teeth when you brush, you may want to consider an electric toothbrush.

Use fluoride toothpaste

You want to know that the toothpaste you’re using contains all the necessary ingredients to properly clean your teeth and gums. One way to ensure that the toothpaste you get will protect against cavities and help you maintain good oral health is to look for the ADA seal of approval. After you find the seal the next step is to make sure the toothpaste contains fluoride, which can help reverse those early signs of decay and prevent cavities. 

Brush (at minimum) twice a day 

At the very least you should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day: in the morning and at night after eating. Of course, the two most common issues our Lakeview Chicago, IL, family dentist sees is that people don’t brush regularly and long enough. Yes, you do need to brush twice a day to remove plaque buildup and yes, you need to be brushing for at least 2-3 minutes every time. While most electric toothbrushes have a timer that goes off when your 2-minute session is over, if you don’t have this feature on your toothbrush make sure to set an alarm on your phone.

Flossing daily is non-negotiable

You wouldn’t only wash one half of your face or only clean the front surface of a dirty plate, would you? Probably not, right? The idea alone might seem gross and a little unfathomable; however, if you aren’t flossing every day than this is exactly what you are doing to your smile. You are leaving almost half of your smile untouched, which can lead to cavities between teeth and gum disease.

During the pandemic, our Lakeview, Chicago dentist will still be providing treatment to those dealing with true dental emergencies. If you have a broken or knocked-out tooth or severe toothache, then call Lake View Dental Associates today at (773) 472-6322.