When Clients’ Teeth Need More Attention
5 Facts to Keep in Mind for Their Oral Care Daily Grind
Brush twice a day. Floss regularly. Visit your dentist every 6 months. We’ve all heard the highlights of oral health care. But following the standard level of care may still leave teeth vulnerable. So, what do you tell clients to focus on to improve their oral health?
In order to maximize their dental plan, your clients need to know how to take better care of their teeth. Here are some tips to help them take care of their teeth throughout the day.
When is it most important to brush your teeth?
While it’s important to brush twice a day, brushing in the morning before breakfast is more valuable to your oral health. Why, you ask? Brushing jump starts the flow of saliva and clears your mouth of bacteria that has multiplied overnight.
Brushing your teeth before you eat or waiting an hour after eating keeps teeth at their healthiest. The sugars within food combine with the bacteria in your mouth to make acids. Consequentially, your tooth enamel becomes “softer” and vulnerable to toothbrush abrasion.
Should you use mouthwash?
Unless prescribed by your dentist, mouthwash isn’t essential to your oral health routine. However, it’s an added benefit that can help prevent cavities, fight gum disease and treat canker sores. When using mouthwash as a part of your daily routine it’s important to select a mouthwash that does the right things for your oral health.
Mouthwash with fluoride, for example, can help reduce cavities and gum disease, while a rinse that contains chlorhexidine has been tied to reducing early signs of gingivitis, such as slight redness and swelling of the gums.
How can you protect your teeth away from home?
We’re not always by our toothbrush, floss and mouthwash. But that doesn’t mean we can’t protect our teeth. Between meals, you can rinse your mouth with water to neutralize acids and remove any food particles that may be stuck between your teeth. Also, chewing sugarless gum after a meal can help generate saliva to help fight bacteria growth in your mouth.
When is it most important to floss?
Flossing should be done daily, preferably in the evening before you go to bed. Flossing is the only way (outside of the dentist’s office) to remove plaque from between teeth and under the gum line, where decay and gum disease often begin.
While nothing will provide the same protection as a visit to the dentist, there are plenty of things your clients can do to maintain a healthy smile. Help them protect their oral health all year round.