Did you know the part of the tooth you see, the crown, is only about a quarter to a third of the entire tooth? The rest of the tooth is under the gums! That means that there is a lot going on in your mouth below the surface. A healthy bite, healthy teeth, and gums all contribute to overall great health and a beautiful smile.
As an orthodontic care provider committed to creating beautiful smiles throughout the San Antonio, Texas area, Dr. Bunn and the Bunn Orthodontic Group team are committed to providing the best orthodontic treatment plans and information suited for each individual patient. One of the reasons our San Antonio community places their trust in us is our commitment to each patients’ individual needs. We offer a wide variety of orthodontic treatment plans, options ranging from traditional, time-proven appliances to the latest innovative orthodontic advancements.
We have created hundreds of beautiful smiles in San Antonio TX. Your beautiful smile is what you see as a result of your orthodontic treatment care, but there are various ways you can update your oral hygiene routine or continue to do these things, that will maintain your mouth, jaws, and teeth healthy and strong. Here are five ways to update your oral hygiene routine.
1. Say No to Smoking:
Gum disease is a big problem that affects half of adults age 30 and older in the United States. In Texas alone, 11.6% of adults currently have poor dental health in some way, according to Texas Dental Health Institute. Smoking is a big contributor to gum disease which comes with silent symptoms that are easy to overlook.
By not smoking, you can avoid those symptoms that are bad for your teeth and smile. The symptoms of gum disease are:
- Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth
- Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or when eating certain foods
- Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to look longer than before.
2. Switch Out Your Toothbrush:
It is often the simple things that make a big difference. Another way to update your oral hygiene routine is to switch out your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, according to the American Dental Association. A simple way to remember to switch your toothbrush is by the changing seasons in San Antonio.
If you opt for using an electric toothbrush, switching out the toothbrush heads is as important as well. This simple way will help maintain your teeth healthy.
3. Use Your Retainer:
After orthodontic treatment, your beautiful smile will shine, however, your orthodontic treatment is quite over just yet. Even long after braces are off your teeth will shift. As we grow older, this is natural. Retainers, are helpful in ensuring your beautiful smile remains the best it can be and your teeth and jaws remain aligned with each other.
4. Eating Healthy:
The foods we eat impact our oral health more than we know. Avoid snacking in between meals, limit alcoholic drinks and sugary drinks as well. Whether it is traditional braces, clear braces or Invisalign, if you are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, there are certain foods you should avoid while under orthodontic care.
Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires, hard foods can actually break or damage the wires and brackets and foods high in sugar can cause tooth decay and cavities.
5. Floss!
Flossing is an important way you can update your oral hygiene routine. The benefits not only will help maintain your smile in a healthy way by preventing gum disease, but it will also help your smile look its best by keeping your gums at a healthy color, prevent bleeding and keep your gum tissues healthy. This all contributes towards keeping your teeth in place.
According to the Texas Dental Health Institute, “between 7% and 15% of adults say oral problems have limited them from laughing, smiling, or conversing with others in the past year.” Since Dr. Bunn opened her practice in San Antonio in 2011, the mission at Bunn Orthodontic Group is to create a positive influence in the facial esthetics, personality and health of our patients; so that they will achieve their highest potential in life with the confidence of a smile that is a symbol of beauty, health, harmony and peace.
Schedule an appointment today for a consultation. Visit our Instagram to see how members of the San Antonio community are starting and completing orthodontic treatment. We are also open on Saturdays.
