We all realize that, to maintain healthy teeth and gums, we need to get to the dentist for regular exams and cleanings. If you have a dental exam coming up and want to impress your dentist with the state of your oral health, you may need to institute a few changes in your oral care to make sure that your smile is at its best when you walk through that door. Dr. William Taylor at Martin Taylor Dentistry in Tucson, AZ has some lesser known dental hygiene tips he feels you should know to make your next check up your best one yet.

There is more to a healthy smile than simply brushing regularly. Flossing, maintaining a healthy diet and even catching some rays can go a long way in maintaining optimal oral health. It’s the little things that all add up to making sure that you don’t walk out of your next dental exam with a bad taste in your mouth.

Brush more than your teeth

Germs reside on more than just your teeth. They are on your tongue, your inner cheek, the roof of your mouth and on your gums. When brushing, you want to make sure you are covering the entirety of your mouth. In addition to your teeth, make sure you are gently brushing your gums, the roof of your mouth and your tongue to ensure that you are eliminating as many harmful and bad breath causing bacteria as possible. Also, make sure you are not brushing too hard, because that can do more harm than good. Make sure you are repeating this twice a day for optimal results.

Watch your diet

Paying attention to what you eat daily will have a significant impact on the health of your teeth. Many foods we eat, or drink have a high acidity level which will erode the enamel on your teeth. Foods which would be considered “good to eat” consist of fruits and veggies that contain fiber, which is not only important to your overall health, but essential to the health of your teeth. Cheese is also great for your oral health as it promotes the production of saliva.

Alcoholic Beverages and Soft Drinks both will cause your teeth to form cavities. In the case of soft drinks, they contain a high level of sugar and acid which will cause erosion. Coffee also can be added to this list due to its high acidity level. Instead of sugary drinks, stick with water. It’s better for your overall health and is good for your teeth. In addition, water will also wash away some of the food that is still in between your teeth after meals and will rinse acidity.

Don’t diminish the impact of flossing

If you are looking to stimulate your gums, reduce the amount of plaque present and lower any inflammation, you should know that flossing once a day accomplishes all these things. Brushing your teeth will not get all the trapped food particles from between your teeth, which makes flossing the perfect teammate in achieving full removal of food particles.

Leave fluoride at night

When you are brushing your teeth at night, consider skipping that rinse. Leave the fluoride film on your teeth as it can help strengthen your teeth overnight. Doing this during the day may be uncomfortable and could cause you to accidentally swallow some of the fluoride, so this practice is best if done during your last brushing before bed.

Soak up some rays

Getting exposure to the rays of the sun can do a lot for your teeth. Sun rays contain healthy minerals such as vitamin D and calcium, which are both essential to healthy bones and teeth. Sitting out in the sun won’t get you the daily allotment needed of these important minerals, but it can certainly help. Just be careful if you are going to be exposed for a prolonged amount of time to not get burned.

Following these tips in conjunction with regular exams and cleaning will go a long way to ensure that you go through life with optimal oral health. Dr. William Taylor at Martin Taylor Dentistry in Tucson, AZ would love to see you so please call (520) 600-6925 to schedule an appointment.