4 Dental Hygiene Tips To Protect Your Teeth and Gums

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums takes effort, but it’s worth it! As you age, if you take good care of your teeth, you can avoid painful problems like dental infections and cavities. In this article, we’ll talk about five helpful things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

1. Maintain a Consistent Tooth Brushing Routine

Brush your teeth twice each day, for two minutes each time. You can time yourself while you brush, or you can play a song that’s two minutes long. You can also brush your teeth once during the day, if you feel like you need it. Floss once daily, at the end of the day.

2. Get a Brushing Tutorial From Your Dentist

You may have been shown the proper way to brush your teeth years ago, but it’s easy to develop bad habits. If you’re missing certain parts of your mouth, or brushing too hard, you could be doing damage to your teeth. Ask your dentist to show you the best way to brush your teeth when you go in for your next dental exam in St. Cloud MN. If there’s time, have your dentist show you the best method for flossing too.

3. Know the Signs of a Problem

Learn to recognize the signs of a dental problem. Below are some symptoms to watch for:

• Pain in the tooth
• Swelling around the tooth
• Bad breath that doesn’t go away when you brush your teeth
• Sudden temperature sensitivity in a tooth
• Stains or dark marks on your teeth
• Loose teeth
• A change in the way your teeth align when your mouth is closed

4. Use an Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes have many features that can help make your tooth brushing experience more productive and effective. For example, many electric toothbrushes have a timer built in that will tell you when you’ve been brushing your teeth for long enough. Some can sense how much pressure you’re putting on the brush, and can tell you if you’re pushing too hard. Ask your dentist about the best electric toothbrush for you.

Do you have more questions about how to keep your teeth healthy? See your dentist in St. Cloud MN. Call Friesz Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to make an appointment and see the dentist today.