Fight Bad Breath Every Day
Bad Breath, also known as halitosis, can result in awkward and embarrassing situations. However, it’s easy to fight bad breath with a few simple changes in your everyday life. Good Basic Oral Hygiene One of the best ways to fight bad breath is through good basic oral habits. The food particles remaining in our mouths after eating basically rot in our mouths when not brushed or flossed away. Bacteria also uses these particles to form plaque, the sticky, yellow coating that gathers on the surfaces and in between teeth. This process leads to bad breath. Brushing and flossing regularly, along with regular dental visits, can keep your mouth clean and smelling fresh. Mouthwash Brushing and flossing after every meal is ideal, but not necessarily realistic. Although it shouldn’t be used solely to replace brushing and flossing, rinsing with mouthwash after a meal can help clean out food particles and cut down on harmful bacteria. If there’s no mouthwash available, rinse out your mouth thoroughly with water. Smart Eating Habits Eating well helps keep our smiles healthy and strong. A diet rich in Vitamin C helps prevent gum disease and gingivitis. Foods like berries, melons and citrus fruits instead of supplements are best. Also, crunchy foods like apples, carrots and celery clean teeth naturally. Avoid sugary foods that stick to your teeth, as well as onions and garlic – these continue to cause bad breath while they’re digesting. Fresh Herbs Herbs are easy to grow and maintain, and a wide variety help fight bad breath. Choose from spearmint, eucalyptus, cardamom, rosemary, tarragon, and coriander, and chew on them after meals or throughout the day. If you prefer, soak the herbs in hot water as a tea! Stay Fresh Although brushing and flossing are ideal, there are simple steps to help keep breath fresh during the day. Drink plenty of water, rinsing your mouth out after meals. Although they tend to mask bad breath instead of helping to eradicate it, gum and mints are helpful in a pinch, as long as they’re sugarless. Fighting bad breath can be done easily using these simple strategies from your family dentist in Salmon Creek WA.
Flossing Basics
Flossing is as important for good dental health as brushing our teeth, but what if you’ve never made flossing a regular part of your dental hygiene routine? Can it be too late to begin flossing our teeth on a regular basis? Vancouver WA dentist Dr. Nelson and the friendly, knowledgeable staff at Salmon Creek Family Dental believe that It’s never too late to start flossing your teeth. And, like brushing, flossing your teeth is just as important for good dental health. These tips will help you make flossing your teeth a part of your regular routine. Floss To Use There are many different kinds of floss, and the specific one that you choose depends on your teeth. If your teeth have rough edges, you’ll want floss that resists shredding. If your teeth are tightly set together, you’ll want one that easily fits in between them. Other considerations for floss include flavored versus not flavored, waxed versus unwaxed, and the material that the floss is made from. You may have to try a few different kinds of floss before you find one that you prefer – feel free to ask your hygienist which one he or she recommends.. Flossing Basics Flossing is easier than you might think. First, grab a length of floss and wrap the ends around each of your index fingers a few times. This will allow a short, stable section of floss to use in between your teeth. Starting with your front teeth, gently work that segment of floss in the spaces between, gently working it through any narrow or tight spots. Wrap the floss around the edge of each tooth, carefully scraping the edge as well as the base of each tooth and the space between it and your gumline. Start slowly at first, taking plenty of time to floss your teeth. Careful Flossing The point of flossing isn’t to harm but to help. The pressure you use while flossing needs to be firm but not extreme. When moving the floss up and down between teeth, don’t press so hard that you cause injury to your gum. Use as much floss as you need in order to clean your teeth. It may take a few tries using floss to remove food particles. Make sure to use clean sections of floss as you floss one tooth to avoid spreading bacteria. General Tips for Flossing Your Teeth Choose a time to floss that works for you. Maybe your morning routine as you get ready for work will help you remember to floss, or perhaps evening works better. Floss on-the-go. Purchase floss picks from the local grocery or drug store and stash them in your purse or your care for easy access. They’ll be there when you get food stuck in between your teeth and they’ll also help remind you to floss! Talk with your Dr. Nelson or your hygienist at Salmon Creek Family Dental. If it’s difficult to floss or you don’t feel confident, ask your dental hygienist to give you a lesson – they’ll be thrilled that you asked!
Brushing Basics
Brushing Basics Brushing your teeth seems pretty easy, but you may not be getting the benefits of brushing your teeth regularly if it’s not done correctly. Vancouver WA family dentist Dr. Nelson and his staff at Salmon Creek Family Dental are happy to teach you the best way to brush your teeth. Choose the Best Toothbrush There are several brands with different styles of toothbrushes, but how do you know which one is best for you? You receive a complimentary toothbrush for your needs at the end of each teeth cleaning appointment, and this toothbrush should fit comfortably in your hand. Handles differ in size and shape, so choose one that fits comfortably and isn’t too heavy or light. Your toothbrush should also fit comfortably in your mouth. Your mouth and teeth may be bigger or smaller depending upon your frame. Ideally, the toothbrush should be able to reach your teeth at the very back of your mouth to keep them healthy and clean. If in doubt, choose a smaller toothbrush versus a larger one – a dental hygienist at Salmon Creek Family Dental can help you decide. Bristles are Important Plaque is difficult to remove, and it may seem like the tougher the bristles, the better they will clean your teeth. However, the toothbrush bristles should be soft or extra soft to avoid harming your gum tissue. These bristles need to to reach inside the spaces between your teeth and gums to remove plaque and bacteria. Hold the brush at a forty-five degree angle instead of perpendicular to your teeth, with the bristles directed at those spaces in order to remove as much plaque and bacteria as possible. Gently Brushing Your Teeth The motions you use to brush your teeth should be soft, just like the bristles of the toothbrush. Use short strokes back and forth or in a circular motion to avoid hurting your gums but removing as much plaque as possible. Be sure to brush every surface of each tooth thoroughly, including the top, bottom, outsides and insides of your teeth. Spend time brushing the back of your teeth, cleaning the grooves along the top of each tooth where food can get stuck. The strategies and products provided by Dr. Nelson and the friendly staff at Salmon Creek Family Dental will ensure that you are cleaning your teeth well each time you brush!