Weekly UNIQUE ORTHO tips

We all want to have pretty smiles. It says a lot about our general health when we have nice teeth. Thus, data: It's important to take care of them and maintain them. The last thing you want is to find out that due to improper dental care, you are going to have to go to the orthodontist for Medicaid braces. 

Toothbrush: Any orthodontists will tell you should brush twice or thrice a day, preferably after meals. Many people don't brush properly, thinking that they can make up for lost time with brushing extra hard. This is not the right way to do it. It only takes a couple of minutes to brush in little circles around each tooth. And make sure to remember that there are three sides to hit: the top, back and front. Don't forget to pay attention to your gum line, either - that's where most of the bacteria are anyway. 

Floss: Proper flossing technique is even more difficult to master than proper brushing technique. Take a piece of floss approximately 18 inches long and wrap it around your two index fingers. Go up and down between each tooth, and if need be approach it from angles, continuing the up and down movement. Because brushing only reaches three of the five parts of each tooth, flossing hits the other two - the sides. And while most people floss at night, it doesn't hurt to floss again after lunch. When you do your co-workers will be less likely to smell what you just ate on your breath. 

Tongue: It is here much of the bacteria in your mouth like to collect. It's not quite as damaging to your teeth, but it can be just as offensive. When you have bad breath it's probably because you have a gray-brown-yellow layer of bacteria on your tongue. Brushing it away is one way to get rid of it. Another is with… 

Mouthwash: This is a great way to get rid of all the extra gunk swimming in your mouth after the other precautions you've taken. It will leave your mouth feeling clean and fresh for longer than if you just brush and floss. 30 seconds is the standard swish-gargle routine. 

The key to taking good care of your teeth is dedication. If after a week of flossing every night you begin to get lazy and say, "Oh I don't feel like flossing tonight," you will quickly develop a routine of missing nights of flossing. It's not like your teeth will be forgiving. Bacteria feast at night, and if you don't get rid of them they will remain. If you skip flossing once every blue moon you may be able to get away with it, but any more than that and you're asking for it. If you stay dedicated to your dental supplies and your routine, you'll feel better about your smile. Any orthodontist can tell you that.