4 Easy Tips with Your Family Dentist in Homer Glen, IL

Everybody in your family from the smallest baby to the wisest grandparent has a smile that needs to be taken care of. They all have particular needs, and for those who take care of their entire family, it’s extremely hectic taking everyone to different practices to get the care that they need. This wastes a lot of time, and working with so many different doctors can lead to uncertainty. Fortunately, everyone can now get the care that they need under one roof with your family dentist in Homer Glen, IL, Dr. Alan De Angelo. He’s able to provide the convenient, comprehensive dental care that will keep each generation in your family smiling. Since he is all about helping everyone, today he is going to share 4 basic tips so your entire family can take better care of their teeth between dental visits.

1. Brush Your Teeth…Correctly!

At this point, you probably feel like you’ve known how to brush your teeth your entire life. A quick chat with your parents will quickly change that, as they probably have plenty of stories about chasing you around with a toothbrush. Despite your current familiarity, most adults still do not brush their teeth correctly, so you can bet children aren’t as well. Everyone can benefit from keeping these few things in mind:

• Brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. No need to brush 3 times or more, as this can actually break down your teeth
• Brush for at least 2 minutes each time
• Brush the front, back, and sides of each tooth
• Use a gentle circling motion
• Brush your tongue for fresh breath

Most of the time, people brush without even thinking about it. This is why they usually do not brush long enough, and can even miss large areas. If you are using a manual toothbrush, be sure to set some type of timer so you don’t have to keep track of it. Be sure to clean every tooth, especially the back teeth, as these are the most often missed. A gentle circling motion with the brush is much better at breaking up plaque than simply going back and forth. You can also cut down on the gum and breath-mints by simply brushing your tongue. Often your breath is dictated by the food that is left on it. By keeping these little details in mind, your family will clean their teeth much more thoroughly each time they brush.

2. Remember to Floss!

Yes, everyone needs to floss at least once a day. Whenever someone “forgets” to floss, they leave nearly 40% of their teeth’s surfaces uncleaned, which can make them very vulnerable to tooth decay. Flossing is able to reach areas that a brush simply can’t. It doesn’t matter if they brush or floss first, just as long as they do both at the end of the day.

3. Limit Sugary Drinks!

The plaque that can cause tooth decay comes from naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth feeding on leftover sugar. Drinks such as sodas, juices, energy drinks, and cocktails are all high in sugar and can facilitate the buildup of plaque. Your family doesn’t need to simply stop enjoying sugary drinks, just use a little moderation, and they’ll be doing their teeth a huge favor.

4. Drink More Water!

This will help everyone with #3. Whenever they’re thirsty, they should try and just drink water. Not only will it keep them hydrated, but it also gives their teeth a nice rinse, removing excess sugar and food particles. It’s the next best thing to brushing their teeth, so a quick rinse is a great idea between meals.

Any Questions?

Your family should be able to use these tips pretty easily, right? The true key is consistency. The only way to get the most out of these tips is to do them all the time. They require very little effort, and they’ll help keep your family’s regular check-ups nice and quick. Dr. De Angelo is happy to be the only dentist in Homer Glen, IL that you need for your entire family, and these simple tips will help keep his job nice and easy.

If you’d like to know more tips about keeping your family’s smiles bright throughout the entire year, just call us today.