Dental Health New Year’s Resolutions for Your Family

A new year is a great time to recommit to better dental health in your home. There are several things you can do to keep your smile healthy and strong. Some include brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and getting regular cleanings with an American Dental Association (ADA) accredited dentist like Dr. Botero.

Following these procedures will not only help prevent tooth decay and gum disease but also save you money in the long run.

On the other hand, not following these procedures can have serious consequences on your dental health. Individuals who do not properly maintain their teeth and gums are susceptible to cavities, mouth sores, periodontitis (gum disease), and oral cancer. Consider helping your family make goals in the categories below.

Li’l Sunshine Smiles will work with you to safeguard your children’s dental health and to keep their teeth happy! Call Li’l Sunshine Smiles at 813-576-0200 today to schedule a dental exam!

Enhance Your Oral Care Routine with Better Toothbrushing

When it comes to toothbrushing, practice definitely makes perfect. The more you brush your teeth, the easier and better at it you’ll get. Here are some tips to help you improve your technique:

1) Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on your brush. This will give you an adequate amount of toothpaste to effectively clean your teeth, without wasting it.

2) Make sure you brush for at least two minutes. This is the recommended amount of time for brushing. If you have a timer or clock with a second hand, that can help. You can use this site  to figure out approximately how long two minutes is in different time measurements.

3) Brush your teeth in a circular, up-and-down or back-and-forth pattern. It doesn’t matter which direction you go in, just be consistent throughout the two minutes so that you’re covering all of your tooth surfaces evenly. The exception to this is if you have braces. Then you should use a back-and-forth motion to avoid damaging your braces or injuring your gums.

4) Don’t forget the insides and backs of your teeth! This is especially important if you have a mouthful of braces. The wire on the front of your braces serves as a reminder to clean those surfaces too. Just remember not to brush so hard that you damage your gums.

5) Pay special attention to the areas where teeth touch other teeth, known as “pits and fissures.” When food gets stuck in these spaces, it’s more difficult for toothbrushes or floss to reach. You can use a brush pick or dental floss threader (see our product page to learn more about these) to properly clean those areas.

6) Keep a fresh toothbrush on hand at all times. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed and worn out. Remember that bacteria can accumulate on your brush even though you may not be able to see them!

Avoiding Harmful Behaviors

You may not know it, but your daily habits have a huge impact on your oral health. Your dental team at Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry is committed to helping your family enjoy excellent dental health and wants to help you avoid some common daily habits that can damage your teeth. Here are seven things you should try to avoid:

• Frequently sipping sugary drinks through a straw
• Using your teeth to open bottles or peel fruit
• Brushing your teeth right after eating, even if you have acidic foods in your mouth
• Chewing ice and hard candies
• Drinking coffee, tea, and sodas through a straw
• Leaving sugary drinks, such as soft drinks and sports beverages, in your mouth for long periods of time
• Brushing your teeth vigorously or scrubbing them too hard

Making Balanced Dietary Choices

The relationship between diet and oral health has been studied for many years, but only over the last decade have there been enough studies to allow researchers to draw conclusions about specific foods and their impact on oral health. It is not enough to identify foods that are good or bad for the mouth. There must also be an appreciation of how the food affects the mouth over time. To help safeguard your smile:

• Limit sugary or acidic foods and beverages.
• Reduce snacking in between meals.
• Rinse with water after meals and sugary drinks.
• Eat more nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables.
• Make sure your diet has the necessary nutrients for teeth/bone health.

Address Dental Problems

Many people are too embarrassed to go to the dentist because they think that something is wrong with their teeth or gums. This is why they might let crowns fall off, ignore cavities, and not wear their retainer anymore. Sometimes this leads to expensive dental treatment later on. Address bite issues or damaged teeth without delay to keep dental problems from getting worse.

Reduce Dry Mouth

Saliva is a very important aspect of the mouth in that it helps in numbing and lubricating your mouth. It also acts in fighting germs in your mouth and in destroying damaged cells. Thus, saliva plays an essential role in reducing dry mouth. At times however, problems can occur where there is lack of enough saliva to perform these functions. This problem is commonly referred to as dry mouth syndrome. Some things that can help fight dry mouth include:

• Chewing sugar free gum.
• Consume milk or dairy products.
• Avoid alcohol consumption.
• Stay hydrated.

Schedule and Keep Routine Dental Visits

People of all ages should visit their dentist two to three times a year for routine examinations and cleanings. Dr. Botero works with all her patients to ensure they have healthy mouths now and for years to come!

Call Li’l Sunshine Smiles at 813-576-0200 today to schedule a dental exam today!