For many of us, “spring cleaning” often means something along the lines of “cleaning your house until it’s absolutely spotless.” But your house might not be the only thing that needs to be tidied up this season—when was the last time you gave your teeth a good cleaning? Even if you’re usually diligent about keeping your mouth spick-and-span, your dentist in Las Cruces thinks you could greatly benefit from a teeth cleaning. Here’s what you should do.
Schedule a Professional Cleaning
The best thing you can do for your smile this spring is setting up a professional cleaning with your dentist. A hygienist will use special tools to polish away stains and remove tartar from the surface of your teeth, resulting in a vibrant sheen and greatly reducing the risk of decay. They will also scrape away the plaque that has built up in hard-to-reach spaces between your teeth.
Visiting the dentist for a teeth cleaning will also allow them to inspect your mouth and determine if there are any problems or concerns. Your dentist and their staff are valuable resources for information concerning oral care, so it’s a great opportunity to receive answers if there’s something on your mind. Not to mention, you’ll get a free toothbrush on the way out!
Update Your Equipment and Routine
When you aren’t at the dentist, taking care of your teeth falls solely on you—which means that investing in the proper equipment and establishing a normal routine is crucial.
Start by inspecting your toothbrush; are the bristles frayed or discolored? If so, it’s probably time for a replacement. Toothbrushes with fresh, soft bristles are ideal for brushing, as they help to prevent enamel loss. Electric toothbrushes are also an option to consider, and they’ve been proven to clean more thoroughly than their traditional counterparts.
No matter which you go with, be sure to use it; brushing your teeth also gives you the opportunity to inspect your mouth and identify anything that doesn’t look quite right. You should brush twice a day for two minutes, while also flossing and rinsing with an anti-septic or anti-bacterial mouthwash in the evening.
When you aren’t brushing, store your toothbrush in a clean container—you don’t want your toothbrush to collect germs and transfer them back into your mouth. Wash your toothbrush holder weekly with warm, soapy water or simply run it through a dishwasher. Implementing minor steps like these into your regular cleaning routine will work wonders for the overall health of your mouth.
If you’re gearing up to clean your house this spring, you should also consider cleaning your teeth. A little extra tidying this year could save you a lot of trouble next year.
About the Practice
Painted Skies Dental Center is committed to providing families around the Las Cruces area with an enjoyable dental experience. They are headed by Dr. Natalie Ortiz and Dr. Ramon Ortiz, who both completed their dental doctorates at Creighton University School of Dentistry. They offer various services including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry, as well as sedation and emergency dentistry. If you or a loved one have questions about teeth cleaning, both doctors can be reached at their website or (575) 521-8720.