Help yourself prevent cavities, gingivitis, gum disease, and other oral health complications by seeing your dentist every six months and staying diligent about home care. The dentists at High Point Smile Dentistry consistently emphasize the necessity of home care to their patients in Guilford County and offer the following tips to help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile in between dental visits.

Top 3 Home Dental Care Tips

1. Healthy Diet

Enjoy a balanced, healthy diet low in sugars and simple carbohydrates. Sugars and starches work with the bacteria in your mouth to produce decay-causing acids and plaque, the filmy white substance that eventually morphs into tartar. Only your dentist can remove hard tartar deposits. Drink plenty of water to maintain saliva production and flush food particles from the mouth. Avoid sodas, energy drinks, and alcohol as much as possible, as they all contain sugar.

2. Tooth Brushing

Brush your teeth for two minutes twice daily. Use an ADA-approved soft-bristle brush and toothpaste. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and use gentle, circular motions to clean teeth. Keep bristles on the gums at all times while brushing the inner, outer, and biting surfaces of your pearly whites. Clean the inside of your front teeth with the tip of your toothbrush, and don’t forget to brush your tongue. Rinse the toothbrush between each tongue stroke to remove bacteria.

3. Flossing

Floss once or twice a day to clean in between your teeth and under the gumline. Use 12 to 16 inches of floss and wrap it around your middle fingers. Leave two inches of floss between your hands, and use your thumbs and forefingers to gently floss between teeth. Use a sawing motion and create a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Move the floss up and down to gently clean the sides of your teeth. Consult your dentist at High Point Smile Dentistry to determine if a mouth rinse is beneficial to your daily routine. If you have issues flossing, consider floss holders.

Learn more about proper home dental care during your next visit to the dentist! Call High Point Smile Dentistry at (336) 884-4000 to schedule a dental cleaning and exam. Learn more about cavities, gingivitis, and other dental health issues by following them on Facebook.