The Fall season often comes with lots of candy. With trick-or-treating time approaching, it’s more important than ever to have “spooktacular” dental hygiene. Great oral hygiene can help protect the teeth from the acids the mouth produces from sugar. Dr. Philip Cooper and our team are happy to instruct you on how to “spooktacularly” care for your smile.
Brush Your Teeth
It is so important that you not only brush your teeth but that you brush enough. We recommend that you brush your teeth twice each day for at least two minutes. If you have a hard time estimating the time needed, listen to a short song, watch a two-minute video, or set a timer to give yourself sufficient time to clean your smile. When brushing, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a fluoride toothpaste. Brush your teeth with your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Use back and forth strokes, making sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth. When brushing the backs of the front teeth, hold the brush vertically and use short strokes.
Floss Your Teeth
Flossing every day is important, as is flossing properly. Proper flossing ensures that the plaque is cleaned from between the teeth. Cut a piece of floss that is about a foot and a half long. Wrap the floss around a finger on each hand, leaving an inch or two to work with. Gently work the floss in between your teeth and follow the curves of your teeth, taking care to floss below the gum line. Move the floss up and down to remove plaque. Take care not to snap the floss on the gums, as this can damage them. Use clean floss as you go to avoid moving plaque and bacteria from one area of the mouth to another.
For more “spooktacular” advice about dental hygiene and to schedule your next dental cleaning with our dentist in Garden City, Georgia, call Savannah Dental Associates at 912-234-5003.