March is here and spring is finally on the way, a time of renewal. The lighter, longer days make us feel like hitting the reset button after the heavier days of winter. If you are feeling the spring cleaning bug, don’t forget to renew your oral habits for a healthier smile!
Commit to Flossing: The Center for Disease Control reports that nearly 65 million Americans have gum disease, and flossing will help you prevent plaque and tartar buildup leading to swollen and inflamed gums as well as gingivitis–the earliest stage of gum disease. Flossing removes plaque between teeth and around the gums line which your toothbrush cannot do.
Flossing can be performed any time of day, but nighttime flossing actually removes harmful bacteria when saliva production (which naturally cleans teeth and gums) is at its lowest during sleep. Spring is the perfect time to renew your commitment to a regular flossing routine, and if you are going to do it once a day, consider flossing before bedtime.
Replace Your Toothbrush: Now is also a good time to throw out that old toothbrush, and if you use a manual toothbrush, maybe consider upgrading to an electric one. Electric toothbrushes generate more than 30,000 strokes each minute while cleaning your teeth, while a manual toothbrush averages 100 strokes each minute (powered by you!). Â They also push fluid between the teeth and around the gum line, making them more effective at removing surface plaque. But whichever kind of toothbrush you use, you will want to prevent gum inflammation, gingivitis and periodontal disease along with tooth decay, so be sure to replace those worn bristles.
Professional Dental Cleaning: Spring is the perfect time to professionally clean your teeth and gums with a thorough scaling and polishing. You want to have plaque and tartar removed, which is nearly impossible to clean with just brushing and flossing alone. Tartar (hardened plaque) necessitates the use of special dental tools to remove. We will also check for cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and any other dental health issues.
Our team is happy to clear your teeth and gums of dental debris, just as you do when clearing out the debris in your home during a spring cleaning. If you are ready to spring clean your smile, give our Cardwell Family Dentistry team in Sylva, North Carolina a call at 828-631-3567 and let us help you freshen your smile!