When it comes to your smile, good oral hygiene is essential to keep your teeth shining and your gums happy. A proper routine involves tasks such as brushing twice every day, flossing and having regular dental checkups. But, your oral health plays a bigger role, and it is more than cavities and gum disease. Dental professionals have discovered that there is a direct association between one’s dental health and overall health.

Without treatment, tooth decay and issues with your gums will lead to pain, diminished self-confidence, and tooth loss. These challenges have the potential of resulting in speech problems, challenges at work, and malnutrition. Luckily, people can prevent these problems with proper dental care. At Beautiful Smiles, we are determined to keep your smile healthy, and that is why we have prepared the following practices for healthier teeth and gums!

Make Sure to Take Care When You Brush Every Day

Dentists around the world recommend that people should be twice their teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Though it is one of the most crucial practices for removing leftover bacteria and plaque, brushing is only fully effective when using the right technique.

Did you know that the American Dental Association recommends using a toothbrush that has soft bristles and changing it every three months to ensure that it is effective against the battle between unwanted bacteria!

You should brush teeth using small circular motions, ensuring that you reach the front, top, and back of each tooth. You should take at least 2-3 minutes while brushing and avoid back and forth motions. When you brush too hard or use a hard bristles toothbrush, you will damage the tooth enamel alongside the gums. You will know to switch up your routine and toothbrush when you start to experience tooth sensitivity. Make sure to ask your dentist about the best toothbrushes to use so that you avoid permanent damage to the enamel on the teeth.

Floss Once a Day to Avoid Emergency Visits to your Local Gurnee Dental Clinic

Throughout the day, as you consume different foods and beverages, bacteria and debris collect on and between the teeth. While brushing gets rid of most of the debris, flossing is a necessary practice for getting rid of the plaque that a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing also helps with keeping your breath pleasant. We recommend flossing before going to sleep to remove all of the plaque collected from the day. Make sure to gently push the floss between the teeth and slide it up and down. Do not rub it against the gums, as you can risk cutting them.

Make Regular Dental Visits – (Gurnee)

We know that visits to the dentist’s arent everyone’s favorite thing to do, but they are absolutely critical. The more times we at Beautiful Smiles can see your beautiful smile, the better, but we recommend coming back at least every six months for a checkup. During your visit to our clinic in Park City, IL, we will closely examine your teeth and gums while cleaning the teeth and removing any hardened tartar and annoying plaque. Also, we will do a check for any signs of cavities, oral health issues, gum disease, etc. Depending on the condition of your teeth, some other steps may be necessary.

Even if you have a strong dental routine and are at low risk of developing any problems, we still recommend that you pay a visit every six months. We just want to make sure that you do not have any problems that you may not see at first glance. Plaque and bacteria can be hiding and require the help of a dental professional to be removed. We at Beautiful Smiles treat all patients in Gurnee, IL, with the best dental care in the area. Treating all ages from infants to adults, we are not a regular boring dental clinic. Make sure to talk with us before you leave about when to check-in and come back for another appointment. Don’t wait for emergency situations to arise regarding your teeth, get ahead of dental problems with Beautiful Smiles!

Avoid Smoking at all Costs for Better Overall & Oral Health

Kicking the habit will not only do wonders for your overall health, but it will help your oral health drastically. Smoking diminishes the body’s immune system, which also makes it difficult for tissue in the mouth to heal. As per the CDC, smoking is a risk factor for gum disease and will prevent the body from helping defend teeth and gums from harmful bacteria, tartar, and plaque. As an added reason to stop, smoking also leads to yellow teeth and horrible breath.

Talk To Your Local Dentist about Choosing the Best Mouthwash for You

Mouthwash is by no means a substitute for flossing and brushing, but it can enhance your oral health greatly. Now, before you go to the local store and purchase any old mouthwash, consult your dentist. At Beautiful Smiles, we welcomw all questions regarding your healthy teeth and gums. So, consult with us on which mouthwashes are the best and which ones to avoid at all costs. Ensure fresh breath doesn’t come with consequences by consulting your local dentist in Gurnee and Park City, IL.

Avoid Excessively Consuming Food with Loads of Starch and Sugar

We are sure that you hear this all the time, but it is true! Consuming high amounts of sugar will lead to cavities. While you may be thinking about avoiding candy and sweets, many different processed foods also contain added sugar. When buying food or drinks, take an extra second to ensure that what you are purchasing doesn’t have huge amounts of sugar. Crackers, bread, pasta, chips, and other foods with high amounts of starch can also cause tooth decay. These foods can easily hide in the mouth until they break down into sugars, providing a feast for bacteria.

Visit Beautiful Smiles for More Oral Health Best Practices & Tips

As a trusted dental clinic in Gurnee that treats all ages of patients, we are always available when it comes to keeping your smile bright. We do whatever it takes to keep our patients informed so that they avoid severe dental problems down the road. When you need a dental clinic that goes the extra mile for its patients, contact Beautiful Smiles.