{"id":930,"date":"2016-12-16T18:22:05","date_gmt":"2016-12-16T18:22:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.micheldental.com\/?p=930"},"modified":"2024-03-12T15:43:24","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T15:43:24","slug":"silver-lake-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.micheldental.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/16\/silver-lake-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"Silver Lake Dentist Offers Tips to Maintain Your Smile between Checkups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The American Dental Association recommends that you and each member of your family schedule dental checkups<\/a> at least twice every year. These visits give Silver Lake dentist Dr. Michel and his team the chance to professionally clean your teeth as well as examine the condition of your teeth and gums. But if these visits happen only once every six months, isn\u2019t there something you can do in between to maintain your smile? Absolutely! Read on to learn about the tips Dr. Michel recommends to help ensure the health and beauty of your precious smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Brush Your Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It may sound elementary, but the most important thing you can do is brush your teeth at least twice a day. Be sure to use a toothbrush with soft bristles\u2014hard bristles can more easily scratch the enamel surface of teeth and hurt your gums. Also, choose fluoride toothpaste with ADA approval. A good cleaning should last around two minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Floss in Between<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No matter how often or how long you clean, your toothbrush cannot reach between teeth where plaque can accumulate. For this reason, daily flossing is critical<\/a>. If not removed with flossing, plaque begins to calcify and becomes tartar, which can only be removed by one of our dental hygienists. Press the floss firmly against each tooth and slide up and down below the gum line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drink Lots of Water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drinking water isn\u2019t only good for keeping your body well hydrated, but it also helps to wash away food particles left behind after a meal and excess bacteria in your mouth. Of course, it\u2019s not as effective and brushing and flossing. Nevertheless, drinking or rinsing with water can reduce the amount of plaque on your teeth and lower your risk of tooth decay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat Healthy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Eat your vegetables if you want to grow big and strong\u2026 and if you want to have clean and healthy teeth. Fibrous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and celery all scrub your teeth as you chew, thereby helping to reduce plaque. In addition, these vegetables stimulate saliva production, which also washes away bacteria and food particles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to eat dairy products, too, which have calcium and other vitamins and minerals to help strengthen your teeth. And having stronger teeth means having fewer cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of fewer cavities\u2014Silver Lake family dentist Dr. Michel cautions against eating too many sugary foods. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which may eventually lead to tooth decay. Avoiding sugar prevents bacteria growth and ultimately the development of cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Call Our Office Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For more tips on how to maintain your smile between visits to Silver Lake dentist Dr. Michel, or to schedule your next dental checkup, contact our office today. Dr. Michel has offices in Silver Lake and Topeka, KS.