How to Keep Your Mouth Healthy in the New Year

With every new year comes the opportunity for a fresh start. Many of us make resolutions or goals for what we intend to focus on, and of course, WE recommend you include taking care of your mouth.

Oral health impacts your life in many ways. When it is not attended to you may experience dental emergencies or pain, more involved and expensive treatment and embarrassment over your breath or the appearance of your smile. It might even effect your overall health.

There are steps you can take to protect your smile, wallet and dental health. Here are some we recommend:

Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day: Be sure to clean all areas thoroughly. We have a tendency to rush and miss the same areas all the time. To watch a video on how to do it well, click here.

Floss or Use an Oral Irrigator to Clean Between Your Teeth Daily: If you know you won’t floss, you can use an oral irrigator instead. There are many brands and styles to choose from. Some are even cordless so you can use them in the shower. If you are willing to give flossing a go, you can perfect your flossing technique by watching this video.

Clean Your Tongue: Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria and many of them live on your tongue. They can cause bad breath, inhibit your sense of taste and get into your blood steam when you swallow. Brushing your tongue with your toothbrush is the simplest way to clean it. You can also purchase a tongue scraper that will do an even better job. Don’t let the name fool you. They are comfortable and easy to use.

Stay Up to Date with Professional Cleanings and Exams: There are areas of your mouth that are difficult for you to reach to clean and others you may routinely miss. Your dental hygienist will be able to ensure all areas of your mouth are clean, monitor the health of your gums and teeth and check for oral cancer. Your dentist will check your teeth for damage, infection or weak areas and help you keep your mouth healthy and strong.

Follow Through with Recommended Treatment: Dental problems only get worse over time. Postponed treatment can mean more time, money and potential emergencies. Getting treatment when recommended will help you prevent more serious problems, retain more tooth structure and keep your mouth healthier overall.

If you have any questions about these recommendations or are due or overdue for a dental visit, give us a call.

We promise to take great care of you!

KN Dentistry – Orange,CA – (714) 633-2562