Professionals recommend a visit to the dentist’s office twice a year for checkups and teeth cleanings. Sometimes that can be hard with a busy schedule, but it is strongly suggested for the overall health of your mouth.

There is a substantial amount of time that passes between your cleanings. It is crucial to brush and floss your teeth regularly between checkups to maintain a healthy mouth! Here are some tips to help keep your teeth healthy in between your yearly check-ups!

1. Healthy Meals = Healthy Teeth: That’s right, eating healthy can help keep your teeth clean and white. High fiber and crunchy foods scrub the plaque from your teeth and stimulate saliva. Additionally, fruits and vegetables are better for your overall health and are a good replacement for high sugar foods that cause plaque. Soda, sports drinks, and coffee are the highest threat when it comes to cavities. Replacing these drinks with low sugar drinks, or better yet, water, will not only help your health and waistline but also the condition of your teeth.
2. How You Brush: It’s important to note that even if you are brushing right, if you aren’t brushing your teeth twice a day, then that is the first thing you should change in your daily routine. If you are brushing twice a day, be aware of brushing with the correct technique. Make sure you are brushing both the back and front of your teeth. Do not brush too hard or else you will damage your gums, which could cause bleeding or the receding of your gum line.
3. The Proper Toothbrush: The right toothbrush has soft bristles and a small compact head so it can reach all areas of your mouth. A toothbrush like this lasts about 2-3 months. It is important to change the bristles of the brush when they are bent or starting to look frail, since they won’t then be very useful for cleaning and can even cause harm to your gums.
4. Actually Floss: When we ask at the yearly check-ups, “Do you floss?” the answer should be yes. We can tell if you haven’t been staying diligent in your flossing, so come prepared. Flossing helps reach food and buildup that isn’t accessible with a simple toothbrush. Consider using fluoride floss — it is proven that fluoride is a big contributor to preventing tooth decay.

Is it time for your yearly check-up? If so, you can contact Pine Tree Dental Care today at 207-781-4216 to make an appointment.