Your smile says a lot about you. It's the first impression many times when meeting people. Improving the look of your smile doesn’t always have to cost a lot of money. Here are some simple solutions to help at home.
FLOSS AND BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY
Almost everyone knows that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, but often times people need reminding. Tartar is formed on your teeth when plaque accumulates and hardens. Brushing your teeth often cleans away the plaque and helps your teeth stay whiter. Always brush towards the gumline at a 45 degree angle. Small, gentle strokes focusing on a couple of teeth at a time.
Flossing is just as important as brushing. Like brushing, floss removes plaque from the teeth, but flossing targets the hard to reach places in between teeth and along the gumline where you can’t get to with a brush. Flossing daily helps prevent decay and gingivitis. When plaque accumulates at the gumline it can cause periodontal disease. Periodontal disease left untreated can cause both tooth loss and bone destruction.
ROUTINE CLEANINGS TWICE A YEAR
Visiting the office twice a year for routine cleanings keeps your smile beautiful. Our hygienist Jessica does a thorough cleaning to make sure your teeth and gums are in healthy condition. When cleanings aren’t done routinely, periodontal disease can develop. Not only is periodontal disease not pretty, it can cause other health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, sleep apnea, and diabetes.
PICK A GOOD TOOTHBRUSH
It’s easy to pick up the toothbrush that is on sale but you get what you pay for! Studies show that quality electric toothbrushes remove more plaque and lead to healthier gums than standard toothbrushes. (We recommend Sonicare toothbrushes.) If you aren’t ready to invest in an electric toothbrush, be sure to choose a soft bristled brush. Stiffer bristles and rough brushing can cause gums to recede and can remove enamel from your teeth.
DRINK WATER
Sounds simple right? The thing is, most people don't drink enough water. Water is the number one choice of beverage for your smile and your body. Water helps to flush away food particles from the teeth and discourages tooth decay. Frequent consumption of soft drinks leads to decay and can also stain your teeth. Follow soft drinks and juice with a glass of water.
Who is Calming Fears?
"Calming Fears" is the name of this website, which is a site all about Indianapolis Dentistry by Dr. Ted Reese, DDS, MAGD. It's the first half of Dr. Reese's original slogan, "Calming Fears...Improving Smiles," which is all about the sedation dentistry that Dr. Reese specializes in. That second half, "Improving Smiles", is what this blog post (and more importantly this office) is all about. If you're in the Indianapolis area, I encourage you to consider Dr. Reese and his staff for your dental, cosmetic, and implant needs.