The DO's and DONT's for Healthy Mouth

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THE DOS AND DONTS FOR A HEALTHY MOUTH
Dr. Joe Stucky, DDS
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Many of us make an effort to work out and eat
well, but how much thought do you give your oral
health? Your oral health is linked to your
general health, so taking good care of your teeth
and gums is incredibly important. Here are some
dos and donts to help you improve your dental
health
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Dental Care Dos
Do brush after eating
You should always brush your teeth after eating
to wash away anything thats left over from your
meal. Its also a good idea to brush after
enjoying snacks, especially candy, and even cough
drops, which can leave a sticky residue on your
teeth.
Do floss regularly
You need to floss to make sure that anything
stuck between the teeth gets removed. Plus,
flossing regularly helps fight bad breath!
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Do chew sugarless gum
Chewing gum helps keep your saliva flowing, which
in turns helps wash bacteria off your teeth. Just
make sure that any gum youre chewing is
sugar-free, otherwise, youll just be giving your
teeth a sugar bath.
Do brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride
toothpaste
Brushing is the best way to prevent plaque. When
youre brushing, use fluoride toothpaste and set
a timer for 2 minutes. Brush every tooth and be
gentle.
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Do swap your toothbrush every 3-4 months
If youre brushing with an old brush, you wont
be able to do as good a job as you could with a
new brush. If the bristles are worn, you wont be
able to achieve a deep clean, and your dental
health may suffer.
Do see a dentist regularly
Seeing your dentist every 6-12 months can reduce
your risk of developing decay and gum disease by
up to 60 percent. If you have any issues between
check-ups, dont wait and hope that they go way.
Give a call and arrange an appointment sooner.
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Dental Care Donts
Dont smoke
Smoking can cause cancer of the mouth, lips and
tongue. It can also stain your teeth and cause
them to fall out.
Dont chew on your pen/pencil
It may cause your teeth to chip or crack.
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Dont snack constantly
If you can avoid snacking, your oral health will
benefit hugely. Snacking means that the enamel is
under attack throughout the day and soft
constantly, which increases the risk of erosion
and damage. Try and eat three main meals, and if
you are hungry between meals, choose sugar-free
or low-sugar snacks, such as raw vegetables or
whole grain toast.
Dont chew on ice
It can irritate the soft tissue in your teeth and
cause them to chip and crack.
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Dont play sports without a mouth guard
If youre playing high-contact sports football,
wrestling, etc. you need to wear a mouthguard.
A guard will protect your teeth from being
chipped or knocked out.
Dont grind your teeth
Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, wears
teeth down over time. If you know you suffer from
bruxism, make sure youre wearing a special
mouthguard to keep from grinding your teeth in
your sleep.
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Dont drink too many sodas
Constantly bathing your teeth in sugar contained
in soda is not good for your teeth at all. Soda
contains a lot of sugar and acid, which causes
color stains and erodes the teeth.
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