Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate the ones we love, and what better way to celebrate than with a kiss! However, it is noteworthy that we always check our oral hygiene before every kiss. No one wants to kiss or be kissed by someone with bad oral hygiene. In order to keep our mouths healthy and attractive Milestone Orthodontics offers these easy steps:
Brush two times per day. This is probably the most important thing you can do for your oral health. And brushing after every meal is even better!
Floss every day. Flossing reaches the surfaces that your toothbrush can’t. If you don’t floss you are missing 35% of your teeth’s surfaces, allowing plaque to continue its rampage on your teeth.
Visit your dentist every six months. By getting a check-up and cleaning every six months will allow you to stay ahead of potential oral health issues such as decay and gum disease.
Limit sweets. Each time bacteria comes into contact with sugar in your mouth acid is produced which attacks your teeth for at least 20 minutes, this could led to tooth decay. Also, if you wear braces be sure to stay away from sticky, gooey or hard candies. Not only are they bad for your teeth, they are bad for your braces.
Eat healthy snacks. Certain healthy foods, e.g., carrots and pears are not only nutritiously good for you, but they also help your oral health. Carrots are a natural abrasive for your teeth, stimulating your gums and helping to get rid of sticky plaque, and pears contain a natural enzyme that freshens the smell of breath.
Drink plenty of water. A dry mouth is one of the main causes of halitosis or bad breath, and water keeps the mouth moist and helps to rinse bacteria off of your teeth.
Do a self-assessment. Lick the back of your hand, let it dry, and then take a whiff. If it doesn’t smell very good you may need to take some action to make your mouth kissable: brush your teeth and your tongue if you have time, if not, chew some sugarless gum or some fresh mint.
If you have any other concerns about your oral hygiene don’t hesitate to contact Milestone Orthodontics, of visit our Paramus office. Happy Valentine’s Day!
