We all know that keeping a regimented oral health routine is important to keep our teeth clean and healthy. We also know that keeping that routine a routine we follow can be a struggle with the stresses of everyday pulling you in many directions. Late night volleyball games, early morning meetings, and fussy little ones choosing their own bedtimes can make it difficult for adults and children alike to remember to floss and brush for a whole two minutes twice each day. However, the spring season gives us an opportunity to enjoy a little more sunshine and take a look at our routine to see how we can make it better and stay on top of it for the rest of the year. Think of it as Spring Cleaning for your mouth.

Professional Cleaning

It’s always fun to start of a spring clean at your dentist’s office. Who doesn’t love the feeling of freshly cleaned teeth? When you have an appointment with Dr. Shields she not only cleans your teeth, but comprehensively examines your mouth. First she takes x-rays that will reveal if you have any cavities or abnormalities below the gum line that may need some extra care. She can remove plaque and tarter that you are unable to reach with flossing and brushing alone. Polishing teeth and applying a fluoride treatment makes teeth feel smooth and squeaky clean, as well as remineralizes them to restore their cavity-preventing luster.

Professional cleanings by your Jacksonville dentist are also a great time to reconnect and ask any questions you may have, like what kind of toothpaste they recommend, and how to get the most out of flossing. She can also give you helpful tips for keeping up your home care routine and how to keep that fresh-from-the-dentist feeling until your next cleaning. You will also be able to schedule a teeth whitening appointment to remove stains and restore your confidence after a winter season of wine and coffee.

Brushing

After your visit with Dr. Shields you’ll return home with a new lease on life! Nothing feels better than a fresh smile, clear of plaque and tartar. The good news is that it’s very simple for you to keep this feeling until the your next visit in six months. All you need to do is brush.

Brushing is so important to a healthy, clean mouth. It’s your chance to remove the bacteria that builds up on your teeth from the sugary and acidic foods and beverages you consume every day. Brushing in the morning allows you to remove all the bacteria that has built up over night. While you sleep bacteria and acid flourish on your teeth, whereas during the day you are able to neutralize it with saliva and the foods you eat. At night, when you snore the saliva dries up, unbalancing the pH of your mouth and leaving your teeth and gums susceptible to bacterial take over. The good news is that when you brush for two minutes when you wake up, you remove that bacteria. Which prevents it from turning into plaque, and then tartar which results in decay.

You can do yourself a favor every night too by brushing for two minutes. Doing so removes all of the sugars, acids, and the bacteria that have accumulated on your teeth throughout the day. Sugar doesn’t just magically manifest itself on your smile, it has to get there somehow. Sugar from coffee, yogurt, the cupcake you snatched from the break room, all leave their mark on your teeth. At the end of the day it’s important to get rid of this sugar because, as we discussed earlier, while your sleeping the bacteria starts to collect and cause damage.Give your teeth a jump start on tomorrow by brushing for two minutes tonight. 

Flossing

Flossing is one of the most important things you can do to preserve your teeth and maintain your oral health routine. Flossing removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from in between your teeth, where your toothbrush cannot reach. Most importantly, it removes bacteria from your gum line, providing the first line of defense against periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is extremely prevalent chronic disorder in America today.  It has been  linked to many other chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney failure and  obesity. Periodontal  disease can be prevented by simply  flossing everyday. 

The most efficient way to floss is to take a length of floss and wrap it around your middle fingers. Use your index fingers to guide the floss in between your teeth making sure to wrap around where your teeth leave the gun line. Using floss threaders or other tools can be extremely helpful for those who are unable to floss, and can provide support for your oral health agenda. To ensure that you are keeping your mouth as clean as possible and springing into a routine that will keep your whole entire body healthy make sure you floss before you go to bed, or at least once a day. 

If you want to spring into a better oral care routine there’s no better place to start than by calling your Jacksonville dentist, Dr. Tiffany Shields. Schedule an appointment and get your oral health regimen off to a brilliant, sparkling start this season to maintain it all year round.