Are you one of those people who’s always proud of the fact that they almost never get cavities? If you are, then you might be a bit worried about the fact that your dentist in Topeka & Silver Lake is effectively canceling all regular checkups and teeth cleanings. Instead, most dentists are only treating patients who have dental emergencies. What can you do to keep your mouth clean and healthy in the meantime? Here are some tips to maintain your oral health until your dentist reopens their practice.
Brush Properly
Quickly running your brush over your teeth for a few seconds isn’t enough to remove leftover food particles and plaque. Instead, you need to spend two minutes cleaning your pearly whites every morning and every night. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and use short back and forth strokes on the tops and sides of your teeth. For the backs of your front teeth, use vertical strokes since plaque love to accumulate there.
Remember to Floss
Most people have no problem brushing twice a day, but many of them often forget to clean between their teeth. Not flossing is one of the most common factors that contribute to gum disease. When plaque builds up between your teeth, the bacteria in it attack your gums and the bone keeping your teeth in place. Forgetting to floss could ultimately cost you your teeth if you’re not careful. Make sure to set a reminder every night to floss before bed.
Rinse with Mouthwash
As effective as brushing and flossing are, they unfortunately can’t reach all the areas of your mouth where bacteria accumulate. What can help, though, is adding rinsing with mouthwash to your daily oral hygiene routine. To strengthen your teeth and give yourself an extra boost of protection against cavities, select a mouthwash that contains fluoride.
Drink Plenty of Water
In terms of your oral health, water is the healthiest drink out there. It cleans leftover food particles out of your mouth and stimulates the creation of saliva, which mineralizes your teeth, making them stronger. Additionally, most tap water contains fluoride, so it’s best to quench your thirst with tap water as opposed to bottled water.
By following these tips, you can ensure that the next time you see your dentist for a checkup after all this is over, you’ll be cavity-free!
About the Author
Dr. Michael E. Michel has nearly 40 years of experience in the dental field. He holds active memberships in the American Dental Association and the Kansas Dental Association, as well as a Fellowship with the American College of Dentists. While his practice is closed for all non-emergency patients, he wants you to keep your teeth and gums healthy until he reopens. For more oral health tips in Topeka & Silver Lake, visit Dr. Michel’s website.