Dusting, clearing out the clutter, and deep cleaning. This time of year is famous for getting houses in order. While spring cleaning most often refers to your home, it can also apply to your mouth. Perhaps over the winter you haven’t been as diligent about caring for your smile; well, now is the perfect time to get your teeth and gums ready for the warmer weather and fun in the sun.
You probably already know you should be brushing your teeth, but what else could you do to spruce up your smile? Plenty! Read on to learn just a few ways to give your teeth a good spring cleaning.
Floss Every Day
For some household chores, such as organizing the garage, you can do them just once a year in the spring and be fine. On the other hand, with your smile, it requires effort every single day. If you aren’t already flossing at least once daily, you need to start now! Otherwise, you leave bits of food, plaque, and bacteria in between your teeth, where cavities or gum disease can develop.
This little habit can make an enormous difference in preventing dental pain and help you hold onto your natural teeth for as long as possible.
Use Mouthwash
Although mouthwash isn’t a requirement to have healthy teeth and gums, it can help if you are prone to oral issues. For instance, you can take advantage of a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen your teeth against cavities, and an antibacterial mouthwash may come in handy in the fight against harmful bacteria.
Make Sure You Visit Your Dentist
Unlike a DIY spring cleaning for your home, cleaning your teeth is not something you can do entirely on your own. You’re bound to miss tiny bits of plaque now and then—everyone does! Over time, the plaque hardens and becomes too difficult to remove with a toothbrush and floss.
That’s why the American Dental Association encourages patients of all ages to have a dental checkup and cleaning at least every six months. At this routine appointment, your professional hygienist removes any buildup. You can think of it as clearing out the clutter that has accumulated in your mouth!
For those who struggle with gum disease or other oral issues, more frequent appointments may be necessary to address plaque buildup and infection- causing bacteria. In this case, deeper cleaning procedures, called scaling and root planing, can get your smile back on track.
In the end, as with other spring cleaning, making sure your teeth are strong and pristine can feel so rewarding. It’s worth putting in the time and effort year round so you can enjoy having a healthy smile in time for spring!
About the Practice
At Beach Dental, Dr. Jason Parli and Dr. Alexis Gersten have more than 20 years of dentistry experience each, and they have the advanced training to treat many complex issues as well as perform simple checkups. We customize our services to your individual needs, so you always leave with a clean, fresh smile. Would you like to schedule a dental cleaning and checkup appointment at Beach Dental? Contact our team online or call our office at 631-325-0731 today.