Five Tips to Support Healthy Teeth & Gums

From helping you eat to expressing emotion to talking—your teeth play an important role in your everyday life, making it essential that you look after them. With proper care and maintenance, you can keep your teeth happy and healthy for a lifetime.
The dental health experts at Skyline Smiles are here to share some tips to help boost the effectiveness of your dental hygiene routine.
1. Use Fluoride Toothpaste: While there are plenty of different toothpastes out there that can help to keep your teeth clean, not all toothpastes are created equal. When looking for the right toothpaste, it’s important to look for key ingredients that help to keep your teeth healthy and strong—like fluoride.
Fluoride helps to rebuild the weakened enamel at the surface of your teeth and can even help reverse the early stages of tooth decay. Not only does this make your teeth stronger overall, it also helps to prevent cavities and other dental health issues.
2. Floss Regularly: While brushing your teeth regularly can help to keep your teeth clean, brushing alone only cleans some of the surfaces of your teeth. Fortunately, flossing can help you to reach those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
Along with removing leftover plaque from between your teeth, flossing also helps to prevent cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath! Whether you prefer traditional floss, water flossers, or interdental brushes—remember to floss before you brush.
3. Use an Antiseptic Mouthwash: Along with giving you fresh breath, using an antiseptic mouthwash as a part of your dental care routine can also help to support your oral hygiene. Using an antiseptic mouthwash can help to loosen plaque and food particles that may have been missed by brushing and flossing your teeth. It also helps to ward off any harmful; bacteria that lead to infection.
When you use mouthwash, be sure to follow these steps to reap all of its benefits:
Use about 2 teaspoons of mouthwash.
Swish the mouthwash in your mouth for about one minute.
Use an antiseptic mouthwash every time you brush your teeth.
Rinse your mouth with mouthwash after each meal.
4. Brush Your Tongue: When you brush and floss your teeth, it’s also important that you don’t forget to brush your tongue. Just like your teeth and gums, the surface of your tongue can harbor harmful bacteria without proper maintenance.
To properly cleaning your teeth, be sure to follow these steps:
Brush your tongue back and forth • Use a tongue scraper • Rinse after cleaning your tongue.
5. See Your Dentist Twice a Year: While many people find themselves in their dentist’s office when they’re experiencing a toothache or some form of dental emergencies, there are many benefits to seeing your dentist regularly.
Along with having a deep-cleaning, your dentist will likely take x-rays of your teeth and give you a fluoride treatment. This routine maintenance can help your dentist to prevent and even spot early signs of the following dental and oral health issues: Cavities • Gum disease • Bad breath • Issues with your jaw • Certain cancers
Be sure to get a routine cleaning and dental checkup every six months. If you’re unsure of your last visit, be sure to reach out to your dentist to make sure you’re on track for your specific dental health needs.
At Skyline Smiles, we pride ourselves in offering high-quality, patient-focused dentistry to the Santa Clarita community. From routine exams and cleanings to cosmetic dentistry, you can rest assured knowing that your dental health is in the most capable hands. To learn more about our dental services, or to schedule an appointment, call 661-228-6077 to speak with a member of our team today.