Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?

Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?

Find out if your dental routine is actually promoting a healthy smile.oral hygiene

Caring for your teeth and gums doesn’t have to be difficult; however, it’s important that your daily habits are promoting good oral health and not negatively impacting it. Our Bayside, NY, family dentists are here to offer up some tips for making sure you are doing everything you can to keep your smile healthy and problem-free.

Here are some of the factors that can impact your oral health:

  • Your oral routine (brushing and flossing)
  • Your diet
  • Lifestyle and habits
  • Visiting the dentist regularly

While it shouldn’t be difficult to care for your teeth and gums it’s important that you also understand that there are certain habits that could be impacting your oral health that you might not even realize:

Brushing Too Hard

You should be brushing at least twice a day (make sure you are also brushing for at least two minutes each time you brush!) but how you brush can also affect the health of your teeth. While a vigorous cleaning might make it seem like you are doing a more thorough job, remember that brushing too hard can wear away teeth enamel and cause gum discomfort.

You should never feel like you are scrubbing your teeth clean. If you aren’t sure whether or not you are brushing too hard, ask our Bayside, NY, dentist who will be able to give you advice on proper brushing techniques.

Snacking

While it might be tempting to snack, particularly when you are bored or feeling that afternoon slump, it’s important to keep those bad snacking habits to a minimum. Eating foods all day long could actually increase your chances for a cavity, particularly because a lot of the foods we tend to snack on are unhealthy (think about the last time you reached for some raw veggies or an apple instead of a bag of potato chips or candy bar).

Instead of grazing throughout the day, try eating balanced, healthy meals that are loaded with veggies and whole grains to keep you feeling full and preventing you from running to the office vending machine.

Using Teeth Like Tools

Teeth are meant for chewing, biting and speaking but they shouldn’t be used to rip into awkward plastic packaging or to pop a bottle cap off. Using your teeth in this way can greatly increase your chances of cracking or chipping a tooth. Instead of using your teeth, next time opt for scissors or a bottle opener.

Silverman & Associates University Dental Family Dentistry in Bayside and Bellmore, NY, is here to provide thorough, comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages. No matter whether you need to schedule a routine cleaning or you are concerned that you might have a cavity, call our dental team today.

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Our Regular Schedule

Bayside Office

Monday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

7:00 am-1:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Bellmore Office

Monday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed