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Your dental health impacts how you feel and look. Your smile a personal asset that people notice, and as such, you want to keep it as oral hygienehealthy and vibrant as possible. Your South Pasadena, CA dentists, Dr. John Chu and Dr. Mary Lin, ask their patients, "Are you keeping good oral hygiene habits?" If you're not sure what makes for a daily tooth-friendly routine and overall healthy lifestyle, find out at your next dental appointment, and read more here.

Oral hygiene at home

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush and ADA-approved toothpaste. Also, the ADA says children through senior adults should floss daily. Besides keeping tooth surfaces bright and eliminating bad breath, why should we be diligent about flossing and brushing?

Simply put, what you eat stays between your teeth and at the gum line. These food residues form soft, sticky plaque which quickly turns into hard tartar.

Left alone, these biofilms, and their associated bacteria, eat away at tooth enamel and cause gum disease, the number one cause of tooth loss among American adults, says the American Academy of Periodontology. Gum disease also affects overall health in the way of diabetes, heart disease, dementia and more.

The role of diet

Most of us know that too much sugar leads to tooth decay. So limit it, say dental and medical experts. If you do consume it, rinse your mouth with water right away and brush as soon as possible.

Of course, that's the negative side of oral hygiene. Besides downplaying sugar, what positive dietary changes can you make to your oral hygiene routine? Here are some recommendations from the ADA:

  • Drink several glasses of water daily to rinse teeth, hydrate soft oral tissues and increase beneficial saliva.
  • Eat high fiber foods, including several servings of fruits and vegetables. Fiber cleanses teeth.
  • Consume high-calcium dairy every day, and look for ways to add low-fat proteins to your diet.

In-office hygiene

See Dr. Chu or Dr. Lin every six months for a check-up and hygienic cleaning. Yes, professional cleaning by a skilled hygienist is one of your best defenses against harmful plaque and tartar.

Cleaning includes a gentle scraping (scaling) with handheld tools and ultrasonic instruments. Also, your hygienist partners with your South Pasadena dentist in spotting existing or potential problems associated with your teeth and gums. This skilled professional gives great advice on how to keep your mouth clean and on what floss, toothpaste and brushes may suit your unique needs.

Have a sparkling smile

You can when you're diligent about oral hygiene. If it's time for your six-month cleaning and exam, please call Dr. Chu and Dr. Lin's office team for a convenient appointment in South Pasadena, CA: (626) 799-0852.