Preventative Care
Preventative care in Elk Grove Village, IL, starts with you. The foods and drinks you consume, how often you brush and floss your teeth, and the techniques you use while brushing and flossing all contribute to whether you have good or poor oral health. Keeping up with your biannual preventative care appointment is also important.
Tips for Caring for Your Oral Health at Home
Even though you have been brushing your teeth for most of your life, you may not be using the most efficient techniques to ensure that your teeth get truly clean. We recommend choosing a toothbrush with soft bristles and holding it at a 45-degree angle while brushing your teeth. Spend at least a few seconds on each tooth, moving the toothbrush in a circular motion. Rushing through brushing your teeth results in plaque and tartar sticking to your teeth, which invites bacteria to invade and cause decay.
Brush your tongue
People often overlook brushing their tongue at the same time as they brush their teeth because they do not understand the importance of doing so. When you fail to brush your tongue, plaque can build up and contribute to future oral health problems. You may also suffer from chronic bad breath. Fortunately, you can avoid that embarrassment by brushing your tongue a few extra seconds.
Flossing
Gum disease often develops between the teeth in areas you cannot reach with a toothbrush. Flossing at least twice daily is essential to remove food particles before they become plaque, tartar, or bacteria. Dr. David Schumer and Dr. Stefan Schumer recommend using a dental pick or a piece of floss around 18 inches long to floss your teeth. If you choose dental floss, hold it between the forefinger and thumb of each hand, raise it to your gumline, and curve it to the shape of the letter C.
Next, slide the dental floss into the space between two teeth and pull it back and forth for a few seconds. You should feel a slight resistance; some teeth will give more resistance than others. Some of your teeth may be so close together that getting dental floss between them is difficult, but you can do so with patience and persistence.
Fluoride toothpaste
The majority of Americans do not consume enough fluoride from foods and beverages. Fluoride is critical because it strengthens your tooth enamel and helps to prevent decay. We also offer fluoride treatments at Schumer Family Dental Care. Fluoride treatments are typically for kids, but any patient who could benefit from one should ask Dr. David Schumer or Dr. Stefan Schumer to apply a fluoride treatment before the end of their appointment.
Watch your diet
Sugary and starchy foods and drinks may taste great, but consuming too many of them is hard on your teeth. After you finish chewing and swallowing the food, the sugar remains in your mouth and becomes acid. The typical result is acid erosion, which weakens tooth enamel and can lead to cavities.
Coffee, tea, soda, and acidic fruits can also strip away tooth enamel. You do not have to give up the foods you love entirely; just enjoy them in moderation. Crunchy and fresh vegetables contain healthy fiber and are a better choice for obtaining nutrition and caring for your teeth.
Don’t Skip Preventative Care Exams
Your biannual cleaning and exam are important to maintaining good oral health. Our hygienists remove the plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth while Dr. David Schumer and Dr. Stefan Schumer look for potential oral health problems. If we have not seen you in over six months, please reach out to request an appointment for preventative care in Elk Grove Village, IL.
