How good is your dental hygiene IQ? Find out now!
When it comes to our smiles, our parents instilled in us as children that we need to brush our teeth in order to keep them healthy. Of 
course, there’s more to it than that. There are so many things that you can be doing to keep your smile healthy and cavity-free, and our Ann Arbor, MI dentists, Drs. Wayne and Brett Walcott, are here to give you some insight into some of the things you can do to improve your oral hygiene.
- Whenever possible opt for dental products that tout the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Approval. These products have been inspected and deemed safe for keeping your mouth gum disease- and cavity-free.
- You’ll want to brush your teeth at least twice a day for about 2-3 minutes at a time. Even when people think they brush for the allotted time, most people don’t brush for more than 30 seconds! Set a timer to make sure that you are spending enough time cleaning your teeth and gums.
- You should also be flossing at least once a day to remove food and plaque from between teeth. While brushing is a great tool for keeping teeth clean, it can’t reach all parts of your smile. If you are unsure how to properly floss your teeth, ask our Ann Arbor general dentist for help.
- If you have traditional braces you may find it more challenging to keep your teeth clean, but it’s more important than ever so that you don’t develop a cavity during your treatment. If you find it difficult to floss between teeth opt for threader floss, which you can easily thread through your teeth to keep all areas clean.
- Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet will also go a long way to keeping your smile cavity-free. This means staying away from processed carbs like white breads and pastas, and also sugary treats like pastries and candy. Instead, load up on low-fat dairy products like cheese and yogurt, whole grains, lean proteins and lots of fruits and vegetables.
Another big component to keeping your smile healthy is to visit one of our Ann Arbor dentists every six months for routine cleanings. Call our office today to schedule your next appointment.