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If you’ve become a bit lax about taking good care of your oral health, there’s no time like the present to reevaluate your cleaning routine. As with many other important tasks in life, a focus on oral care is all about turning it into a new habit that you’ll stick to.
The office of Stuart C. Shaffren, DDS emphasizes preventive dental care. We’re dedicated to helping every patient enjoy the benefits of a healthy and beautiful smile. We provide a comprehensive program of treatments designed to protect your teeth and reduce the risk of dental disease. Even if your current oral care habits aren’t stellar, it’s never too late to start a new regime. Try these tactics.
Don’t leave home without it, with “it” being a clean mouth. Greeting the day (and anyone with whom you have a close encounter!) with a pleasant kisser is a terrific way to build your confidence. It’s also great for scrubbing away your breakfast’s leftovers, freshening your breath, preventing coffee stains and dispatching bacteria that have formed overnight.
If you have never been or have stopped being a flosser, holy cow! Using dental floss is key to ridding your teeth and gums of damaging plaque, which can lead to periodontal disease. Ask your dentist to demonstrate the proper technique.
Give it time—at least 2 minutes. Many people are good about the frequency with which they brush but not with how much time they spend doing it, which reduces how effectively they remove plaque. Set a timer for 2 minutes to ensure that you’re brushing for the recommended amount of time.
Use a tongue scraper. They’re easily found at drug stores and pharmacies, and some toothbrushes come with a scraping pad that’s on the other side of the bristles. Gently scrubbing your tongue helps clear away damaging bacteria and food particles, as well as to stave away bad breath.
Stick to straws. If you insist on not giving up beverages with copious amounts of sugar and acids (soda, energy drinks and fruit juice), use a straw to prevent their destructive elements from making contact with your pearly whites. Make it easy for yourself by keeping straws readily accessible. Stockpile them in your kitchen, desk drawer at work, purse, backpack and car.
When you’re searching for a dental practice that’s dedicated to providing the topmost standard of personalized care, look no further than the office of Stuart C. Shaffren, DDS. We offer an extensive menu of high-quality dental services for people of all ages. To learn more about our many services, please contact us today.
By Stuart C. Shaffren, DDS
September 1, 2022
