At Schumacher & Bauer, DDS we’ve got four things we’d love our patients to do today. We want you to be at your best, and these will help make sure you’ve got a great smile that stays pearly white.
Quit Smoking
Not only do the tar and nicotine from cigarettes turn your teeth yellow, but they’re also eating away at your gums. Smoking creates an environment that’s ripe for bacteria and plaque along your gum lines as well as on your teeth. Tobacco also causes mouth sores that can eventually turn into cancer. If you needed yet another reason to stop smoking, here you go. It’s absolutely terrible for your oral health as well as your overall health.
Visit Us
We’d love to see your smiling face in one of our two offices! Roughly 50% of adults in the United States skip visiting the dentist each year due to their fear of dentists. Regular trips to the dentist help prevent gum disease, decay, trauma and even cancer. Catching these things early and preventing them with regular dental appointments are much less scary–and less expensive–than waiting until it’s too late. Come to visit us every six months so we can make sure you and your mouth are in the best shape possible.
Brush Right
You should brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day to be sure you’re brushing the right way. Angle the toothbrush at 45 degrees toward your gum line and use gentle, circular strokes to make sure you’re brushing correctly. Make sure your brush isn’t bending, or you may be brushing too hard and wearing away your teeth and gums. Plaque brushes away easily with light strokes, so don’t brush too hard.
Floss!
Use two inches of floss between your fingers and unroll a fresh section of dental floss for each tooth. Keep the floss tight against your teeth to break up plaque while leaving your gums in great condition. Flossing every day is a great way to keep your teeth and gums in great shape.
Source: Webmd.com, “4 Things Your Dentist Wants You to Do Now,” by Heather Hatfield,