5 essential habits for keeping your teeth clean and healthy

1. straighten your teeth

Teeth that are straight and in proper alignment are more resistant to plaque buildup and more self-cleaning than crooked teeth. Straight teeth are easier to floss and easier for the hygienist to clean! 

When teeth are twisted and crowded, the hygienist’s cleaning instrument isn’t as effective, which allows bacteria to escape removal from your teeth during a cleaning.

2. brush with the right technique

Grip your toothbrush like a pencil. Use small, circular motions. Don’t use a lot of pressure – I cannot tell you how many patients have scrubbed so hard that they have literally scrubbed away precious tooth enamel.

If you use an electric toothbrush, see my video on how to brush properly with an electric toothbrush here.

3. floss at least once daily

My favorite analogy to explain this one is this: Imagine you are painting a fence. Would you paint the front and the back of the fence and leave the insides of the wood bare and without paint? No! If you are brushing but not flossing, you’re only doing half the job – and the inside surfaces of your teeth are exposed to risk of cavities and decay.

4. get a regular teeth cleaning and check-up

Getting a regular teeth cleaning is critical to your oral health just as bathing regularly is critical to not being stinky. As soon as you get a teeth cleaning, guess what happens? Bacteria and plaque begin to build up all over again – it’s unavoidable, because we all have to eat. See your dentist regularly to get a check-up to screen for cavities and diseases and get a regular teeth cleaning to remove plaque build up and protect your heart and your teeth from inflammation and disease.

5. choose your dentist wisely

Don’t take lightly the task of choosing your dentist. Just like your doctor or surgeon, your dentist has the potential to make tremendous impact on the health of your mouth and entire body – for better, or for worse. See my guide for how to choose an awesome dentist who will keep your teeth looking young, healthy and pain free for your whole life here Also make sure your dentist sees the value of a skilled hygienist and hires accordingly; for the reasons above, your hygienist has the potential to have a huge positive effect on the health of you and your family.

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ADVERSITEMENT