Our Cherry Hill dental practice helps you keep your mouth at its healthiest. Regular dental cleanings and examinations by Dr. Julie Kardon are a crucial preventive care step that keeps tooth decay and periodontal disease at bay. But any Cherry Hill dental professional will tell you that the secret to great oral health begins at home in your daily routine. You should be taking steps every day, twice a day, to maintain cavity-free teeth and healthy gums. But before you pick up your toothbrush, continue reading to discover crazy facts about your at-home dental hygiene!
Looking for the best Cherry Hill dental practice? Look no further than TLC Dental Center and Dr. Julie Kardon! Since 2003, Dr. Kardon has helped Cherry Hill residents like you achieve optimal oral health and beautiful smiles they love. Give our dental practice a ring to schedule your first visit with Dr. Kardon and our friendly, professional staff.
Think you know all there is to know about oral care? You may be surprised! Read through these dental facts to “brush up” on your oral health trivia.
Bacteria? You Can Say That Again
You may know that your mouth harbors a lot of bacteria, but do you know how much? While some oral bacteria are good for your body (helping to kickstart digestion and protecting the body from disease), many other oral bacteria strains are harmful. They are the culprit behind tooth decay and gum disease. When you combine both good and bad oral bacteria, nearly 200 species may live on the surfaces of your mouth at any one time. Patients who practice diligent oral hygiene usually play host to about 1,000 to 100,000 bacteria on each tooth, while patients who irregularly brush and floss could have up to 1 billion bacteria on every tooth!
Toss the Toothbrush
Toothbrushes are not meant to last forever. They work the best when they’re just a few months old. We recommend you toss your toothbrush every 90 days (or think about buying a new brush for each season of the year). And remember, it’s a good idea to replace your brush even sooner if you’ve been sick with a cold or the flu, or if the bristles become dented or frayed.
3, 2, 1 . . . Brush!
Two minutes, 120 seconds: that’s the sweet spot when it comes to how long you should brush. When brushing twice a day, your daily total should be at least four minutes. However, very few patients admit to brushing for the recommended time. The Academy of General Dentistry recently polled patients to discover that most people brush for less than half the recommend time. That means most patients (and maybe you included!) brush for just 45 to 70 seconds. To start creating better habits, we recommend setting a timer when brushing until two minutes is second nature. Your teeth will thank you!
Flossing is Fantastic
Ready to hit the hay? Thinking about skipping flossing just this once? Don’t do it! Flossing isn’t just an “extra” step. It’s a crucial part of your teeth cleaning process. This is because when you floss you reach 40 percent of teeth’s surfaces that brushing cannot reach. A quick floss means that you’ve covered all your bases when it comes to removing food debris and plaque.
Your Cherry Hill Dental Practice
Now that you’re updated on your oral health facts, schedule your next appointment for a dental cleaning and exam! It’s an important way to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy and protected from harmful oral bacteria. Call us today! Our Cherry Hill practice is open Monday through Thursday in the summer for your convenience.
