Getting the basics right
Taking care of your teeth and gums is one of the simplest things you can do to maintain your overall health. It doesn’t take up too much time of your day and shouldn’t have to involve any expensive oral equipment. Getting the basics right will help keep teeth free of cavities, and gums pink and healthy.
At Limitless Dental, we’re all about getting the foundations in place so that taking care of your oral health becomes second nature.
Below is a quick summary of these foundations for great oral health:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. You’ll want to brush for 2 minutes, spending 30 seconds brushing each quarter of your mouth – an electric toothbrush might even have a timer/app handy so you don’t cut it short. Brush at a 45 degree angle in small circular motions.
- Floss between your teeth at least once a day, be it with an interdental brush, a flossette, string floss or a water flosser. Did you know only 25% of adults in Australia reported that they floss on a daily basis? Brushing your teeth will only get you so far in terms of removing plaque and food particles. So take your pick, choose a time of day that suits you best and commit to flossing – your gums and mouth will thank you for it!
- See your dentist every 6 months for regular check ups and cleans. Here at Limitless Dental, we love seeing our patients come back every 6 months – there might be spots you’re missing when you brush or our dentists might identify a preventable issue early on and help you address it.
- Quit smoking to reduce your risk of gum disease, tooth loss, decay at the root of your teeth or developing oral cancer. Smoking also increases the likelihood of infection should you require dental treatment and inhibits the healing process. This risk applies to vaping as well, particularly if it contains nicotine. It’s important that if you do choose to continue smoking that you visit your dentist regularly so we can help find problems while they’re still treatable.
For more advice on how to take care of your teeth, book an appointment with us at Limitless Dental, we look forward to seeing you.
