Oral Hygiene | Dentist Cottonwood, AZ

At Arizona Smiles Designers, we are dedicated to creating beautiful smiles and helping our patients maintain them. Maintaining proper oral hygiene helps prevent common dental problems—follow these tips to keep your smile healthy.

Brushing

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste. If your child is younger than age 3, parents should clean their child’s teeth with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. After age 3 parents should supervise brushing, and make sure to use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to ensure children do not swallow excess toothpaste.

When you brush your teeth, it should take you several minutes to thoroughly clean them. Move the brush in small circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth and the surface of each tooth. Brush up on your lower teeth, and down on your upper teeth, outside, inside, and over all chewing surfaces of your front and back teeth. Make sure to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse.

It is best to brush your teeth four times daily to avoid the accumulation of food particles and plaque:

In the morning after breakfast
After lunch or right after school
After dinner
At bedtime

As soon as the bristles start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. Do not swallow any toothpaste, and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after you finish brushing. It is important to carefully floss and brush daily for optimal oral hygiene.

Flossing

It is very important to floss between your teeth every day. Dental floss helps to reach below the gum line and clean between teeth, removing excess food particles and plaque, especially for areas between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach.

When you floss, pull a small length of floss from the dispenser and wrap the ends of the floss tightly around your middle fingers. Guide the floss between all teeth to the gum line, pulling out any food particles or plaque, and make sure to floss behind all of your back teeth. Move the clean floss from around your fingers as you go, so that you have used the floss from beginning to end when you finish.

Floss at night to make sure your teeth are squeaky clean before you go to bed. When you first begin flossing, your gums may bleed a little. If the bleeding does not go away after the first few times, let a staff member know at your next appointment.

Diet Control

The teeth, bones, and soft tissue of your mouth require a healthy, well-balanced diet. A variety of foods from the five food groups help minimize cavities and other dental problems. Consumption of foods that contain sugars and starches should be limited, including candies, cookies, chips, and crackers. Healthier foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy help promote stronger teeth.

Dental Visits

You should visit your general dentist twice a year (once every six months). In order to maintain a healthy smile, it is vital to have professional cleanings and regular checkups. Your dentist will examine your teeth and provide an evaluation of existing dental problems and proposed treatment. If you have a dental emergency, you should always call your dentist immediately.

Contact Your Sedona Cosmetic Dentistry Office Today

Arizona Smile Designers is here to help with your regular dentist needs, as well as specializing in cosmetic dentistry and oral surgery near Sedona, AZ and the surrounding areas. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us directly by phone at (928) 634-8610. You can also request an appointment with our easy online form. We want to help you maintain a beautiful new smile—contact us today to get started!