How To Prevent Plaque Buildup
Remember how mom always said to brush and floss and stay away from the candy? Well, if you want to keep your teeth pearly white and avoid the dreaded cavity, you ought to listen! All you need to do is follow these simple steps to maintain a fabulous smile and limit any nasty plaque buildup.
1. Go To The Dentist Regularly
This might seem obvious, but if you want nice clean teeth, you need to go see the person who specializes in them. The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist twice yearly (every six months) for cleanings. Some dentists even recommend visiting every three months, depending on the condition of your teeth and gums.
2. No Sticky, Sugary Foods
Who doesn’t love a warm cinnamon roll or salt water taffy? Sure, it’s probably silly to expect anyone to ALWAYS avoid any sticky sweets, but you definitely should keep those treats to a minimum. These foods stick to your teeth and are the hardest to remove, even with the best brushing and flossing. So if you’re going to eat it, brush right away. Which brings us to the next step …
3. Brush Your Teeth Every Day
The authority on all things dental is the American Dental Association and they say not only do you need to brush your teeth every day, you need to brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. This prevents plaque from forming and targets plaque that may already be present. When you’re brushing be sure to get every part of your mouth and teeth with your toothbrush. Don’t forget the insides of your cheeks and your tongue! If you were timing yourself, you would want to shoot for about 120 seconds (yes, folks, it’s only two minutes, you can do it!).
4. Get Between Those Teeth (aka Floss!)
No, there really isn’t anything fun about flossing. But you know what else isn’t fun? Having a cavity filled. So suck it up and floss those teeth! Brushing alone just doesn’t get every single food particle and the cavity-causing bacteria feeds off the stuff left behind after a meal.
5. Use Mouth Rinse
No, not mouthwash. Use mouth rinse. You may be surprised to know there is a difference. Mouthwash just freshens breath while mouth rinse is antiseptic and actually reduces the bacteria that causes tooth decay. Try to swish it around for about 30 seconds, twice a day.
Follow these simple steps and you will be well on your way to maintaining a beautiful smile and preventing plaque buildup.
Follow these simple steps and you will be well on your way to maintaining a beautiful smile and preventing plaque buildup.
