At Williamsburg Dental, we’re so excited to announce we are now providing tooth tips on 106.3 KFRX with Matt McKay (Lincoln’s Hit Music station) and on KX 96.9 with Lauren (Lincoln’s New Country station.) By increasing our outreach, we hope we can help patients improve their oral care habits and work towards removing bad habits from their daily routines.
In today’s post, you can listen to Dr. Amy Wenninghoff speak to Lauren on the best ways to practice good teeth cleaning at home as well as which habits you’ll want to kick.
How Long and How Often You Should Brush
To prevent gum disease and tooth decay from appearing, your Lincoln dentist recommends that you brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time you brush. In the past, studies have shown patients only brush anywhere from 30 to 90 seconds, which is not sufficient enough to break up and remove plaque from the teeth and gums. You’ll also want to brush in the morning and before bed as this helps you build a habit more easily.
Changing Out Your Toothbrush
To maintain effective cleaning, you’ll need to replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush heads if you have an electric brush) every three months. Over time, the bristles of your toothbrush become frayed, causing it to be less effective at removing plaque from your mouth. It’s also more likely to hold more bacteria, so always keep a spare toothbrush or set of toothbrush heads in your bathroom closet.
Avoid Foods Before Bed
A great way to prevent tooth decay is to stop eating at least one hour before bed. Instead of eating, stick to drinking plain water. This helps distract you from your cravings, keeps you hydrated, and washes away loose food and bacteria from your mouth. You’ll also want to avoid sugary foods or beverages as much as possible to reduce your risk of cavities.
Kick Your Nail-Biting Habit
Nails are made of a hard substance known as alpha-keratin, which is great for protecting your fingertips but terrible for your tooth enamel. Chewing on your nails can cause your teeth to fracture or at the very least slowly wear down over time. Damaged tooth enamel can lead to increased sensitivity and discoloration in your smile as the enamel wears down and exposes the dentin underneath, so it’s important to discontinue the habit as soon as possible.
To make this process easier, try to identify the triggers that cause you to start biting your nails. Once you recognize them, replace your nail-biting with a healthy habit, such as drinking water or squeezing a stress ball.
Want to hear Dr. Amy talk on the radio yourself? Take a moment to hear her give tooth tips on teeth cleaning now!
About the Author
Dr. Danielle Wasielewski earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. To learn more tooth tips, you can contact her at either of Williamsburg Dental’s Village Drive or South Street locations by calling (402) 420-2222.