Our team here at the office of Michael S. Spangler, DDS, PA wants to help you take the best possible care of your teeth, and to help you teach your children good dental health habits as well. Whether you need a refresher on proper dental care or are starting to teach your kid to brush, keep reading to learn the basics of good dental hygiene.
• Brush Your Teeth- One key to proper dental care is brushing your teeth. You should brush at least twice a day, using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush for about two minutes, aiming the bristles at the line where your teeth meet your gums, using short, circular, back-and-forth motions. Lastly, use your brush or a tongue scraper to clean your tongue as well.
• Floss Your Teeth- Flossing is an essential part of home dental care, as it’s the only way to reach the spaces in between your teeth and get rid of any plaque and bacteria stuck there. If you find dental floss hard to use on its own, you can use alternate methods such as pre-threaded flossers or water flossers instead.
• Go to the Dentist- The final building block for good dental care is to see a dentist regularly, around every six months. At the dentist, you can have your teeth professionally cleaned to remove any built-up plaque that your toothbrush couldn’t handle, and have the dentist check for any problems so that you can correct them early.