We want you to keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime.
Remember: You don’t have to clean all your teeth; only the ones you want to keep.
There are many things that cause dry mouth. Hundreds of medications, cancer treatments, autoimmune diseases and breathing with your mouth open during sleep are among the most common causes. No matter the cause, dry mouth compromises good oral health.
Dry mouth symptoms include:
Some general tips that may help improve saliva flow include:
Brushing removes plaque and food debris on the chewing, inside, and outside tooth surfaces. After flossing, use a soft brush along with a fluoride toothpaste. For the inside and outside surfaces, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and gums and use a gentle back-and-forth motion. This technique will not only clean your teeth, but it will also keep your gums healthy. It is important to have the brush contact the teeth and gums at the same time.
Brush for two minutes. You may benefit by using a toothbrush timer. Brush at least two times a day, especially in the morning and at bedtime.
When done, spit out as much as you can. Don’t swallow any of the toothpaste and don’t rinse out with any water.
After brushing, a tongue scraper followed by a rinse is frequently the best way to control bad breath.
A tongue scraper is great for removing bacteria and food debris on the tongue.
Hold the scraper with two hands, between the thumbs and forefingers. Bend the scraper so that it forms a “C”. Stick out your tongue and start scraping from back to front several times. Rinse it off. Repeat the scraping and rinsing until the film removed from your tongue is clear.
Rinse and dry the tongue scraper. It is designed to last a long time.
It is recommended that you use a non-alcoholic anti-bacterial rinse. An anti-bacterial rinse is just that, a rinse that cuts down on the bacteria that causes gum disease and cavities. Plus, it reduces those bacteria and the bacterial byproducts that cause bad breath. This will significantly decrease the bacteria and volatile sulfur compounds (the substances responsible for bad breath). It will improve the health of your mouth and you will be a delight to be near.
Why a non-alcoholic rinse? Alcohol dries your mouth out significantly. Using a mouth rinse with a high alcohol content may make your mouth smell nice for only a short period of time. Once the alcohol begins drying the tongue and gums, your breath can actually smell worse than before you used it. Therefore, an alcoholic mouth rinse is not recommended.
Use a very small amount (you need less than you think) of mouth rinse and swish for 30 seconds and spit it out.
Visit Capital City Dental, your trusted dentist in South Columbus including Merion and German Village and see why we're the go-to destination for dental care. Schedule your appointment now and let us help you achieve the smile you've always wanted!