Developing a Good Oral Care Routine

Developing a Good Oral Care Routine

Now, more than ever, it’s important that you are properly caring for your smile.

With everything going on in the world it may be difficult to think about your oral care routine; however, this is actually the best time to think about it. Our Rockville, MD, dentist Dr. Mehr Tucker wants to help you and your family prevent unnecessary emergency dental situations at a moment when you have enough to worry about. Here are some simple everyday tips to follow to make sure you are keeping your smile healthy so you don’t wind up in the dentist’s chair,

Always brush and floss

As your Rockville, MD, family dentist has probably told you, how you care for your smile each and every day has the biggest impact on your smile’s long-term health. Brushing and flossing can remove plaque, as well as food and bacteria, to prevent decay and gum disease.

Make sure you are brushing at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes at a time. You should also floss daily to remove plaque and food from between teeth. These habits alone can be major contributors to a healthy, beautiful smile.

Limit snacking

While you’re home full time it may be challenging to avoid the kitchen. After all, that’s where all the yummy treats are; however, snacking all day long can increase plaque buildup, which also increases your risk for decay. Therefore, it’s best to limit snacks (two treats a day) and be mindful of your food choices. While snacking on cookies may sound like the ultimate comfort right now, opting for healthier options like hummus and raw veggies is a much safer choice for your teeth and gums.

Replace your toothbrush head

Chances are good it’s time to replace your toothbrush. If the bristles look worn and frayed this is a telltale sign that it needs to go. After all, a toothbrush head is only meant to last about three or four months. Just got over an illness? If so, you also need to replace your toothbrush head immediately. After all, just like everything else, toothbrush bristles can also harbor bacteria, and you don’t want to get sick again.

Wear sports guards

Are your kids about to go outside in the yard and kick a soccer ball around or play hockey? While it might seem like overkill, wearing sports guards will protect them against dental-related injuries. Just as they would wear these mouthguards if they were playing sports at school, they should wear them even if they are playing around in the backyard. This can prevent everyone from having to stress out about a knocked-out tooth or other dental emergency.

Dr. Tucker has been providing dental care to patients living in Rockville, MD, for 20 years. While our offices are no open right now due to the coronavirus, if you or a family member is dealing with a true dental emergency please give us a call right away at (301) 963-8900. Even during these times, it’s important that you have a dentist you can turn to when emergencies happen.