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Have you replaced your toothbrush lately? You don’t have to answer that. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months.

Too many people wait too long to get a new toothbrush, which can be bad for their dental health. It’s one of the reasons why most dentists hand out free ones at every checkup.

Of course, you don’t need to mark your calendar or set up an alert on your smartphone. How often you replace your toothbrush depends on how often you use it. We recommend, strongly, that you brush at least twice a day. If you’re brushing twice a day, picking up a new toothbrush at the store every three months is recommended.

Why So Often?

A toothbrush can become familiar, like a comfy pair of shoes. Sometimes the idea of tossing out the old one and replacing it isn’t very appealing. But after three months, the bristles are getting bent and frayed. There may be some gunk – dried toothpaste foam – starting to build up, too. Yuk. So toss that old brush, and get a fresh one!

What kind of brush should you be using? There are so many choices. The most important thing is to choose a brush with soft bristles. They are gentle on the gums, but still effective in brushing away plaque.

Manual or Electric?

Should you use a manual toothbrush, or go electric? This boils down to personal preference. Provided you use them correctly, both do a good job cleaning your teeth. A manual toothbrush may take a little longer, and requires you to be sure to brush up and down and in little circles. But they’re a lot cheaper! At the end of the day, though, the choice is yours.

Electric toothbrushes are a tremendous benefit to those with issues like arthritis. There are two basic types: a regular electric toothbrush, and a sonic toothbrush. A sonic toothbrush is essentially a super-charged electric brush. They can give you up to thirty thousand brush strokes per minute!

To recap: for good dental health, the important thing is to change your toothbrush every three months. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we offer family dentistry, and specialties like dental implants. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we focus on critical behaviors that influence dental health. Of course, effective brushing and flossing are two important habits for healthy teeth, but there are many more things we can do to keep a healthy smile.

Diet Do’s

• Do eat a nutritious diet with a variety of foods. This is needed for overall physical health and a strong immune system.
• Do consume calcium-rich dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt to neutralize acids that are detrimental to enamel.

Diet Don’ts

• Don’t eat sugary foods. Sugar triggers the production of detrimental cavity-causing acids that weaken enamel and lead to cavities.
• Don’t snack throughout the day. This accelerates plaque production and subjects the teeth to continual contact with acids.
• Don’t chew on ice (it really can crack teeth.)
• Don’t drink energy drinks. They have many substances that are detrimental to teeth.

Other Important Tips

• Don’t use your teeth as tools. It is better to cut that knotted shoelace than to gnaw at it to try to untangle it.
• Don’t get piercings in or around your mouth.
• Don’t ignore tooth pain or sensitivity.
• If you have children, ask us about water fluoridation. If your municipal water supply is not fluoridated, you may want to give your little ones fluoride supplements.
• Don’t use a medium or hard bristle toothbrush. It can damage gums.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we urge all of our patients to maintain a lifestyle that promotes dental health as well as overall physical health. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

Brushing your teeth on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do for your smile. Healthy teeth make a beautiful smile. Brushing can also help with gum health and even keep your breath smelling sweet. At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in  Provo, we want all our patients to have good dental health.

The best way to build brushing into your routine is to make it a habit. A habit is an automated practice that becomes hard to give up. If you can make brushing your teeth a habit, you’ll be one step closer to a life of successful checkups.

Keep It Simple

One of the best ways to create a habit is to keep the requirements simple. Brushing teeth is already a simple task, but we can focus on the simplicity to help it stick as a habit.

Don’t complicate the instructions for your kids. Keep it as simple as possible at the start. A small amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush, brush for about two minutes, rinse with clear water. Simple.

Regular Timing

One of the cornerstones of a habit is routine. Routine is rooted in consistent timing. Choose at least two regular times to brush your teeth. Set a timer if you have to, but it’s best to create a habit around other regular activities. “First thing in the morning” or “after breakfast” are good times. After dinner or just before getting into bed are also good.

Regardless of when you choose, make sure it is a daily activity, and that it is tied to another routine or habit as a reminder. In this way you are actually appending an existing habit or routine, and that makes it easier.

Stick To It

Research indicates it takes about two weeks to create a habit. You have to do a task for at least two weeks in a row before your brain will turn it over to auto-pilot and make it into a habit. Your brain tries to do this with routine things so you don’t have to keep the task in your short-term memory.

If you can stick with a task for two weeks, you’ll be well on your way to creating a good habit. If you can hold on for 30 days, you’ll imprint your new habit as a reflexive routine. You may never have to think about it again!

Improve It

Finally, any good habit needs constant improving. You can improve your habit of brushing your teeth by working on proper form, or by adding a little bit of time. Work toward the two minute mark; any longer and it may start to cause damage. You can also make sure you are using a soft or medium brush, and that you are using floride toothpaste to keep your teeth healthy.

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, we want all our patients to brush and floss daily, and see us for regular checkups. We offer family and cosmetic dentistry. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

Dental health and a great smile depend on more than simply brushing regularly. In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we present a quick refresher on important lifestyle practices that affect oral health.

You are probably familiar with most of these recommendations, but it helps to get a reminder once in a while. We encourage all of our patients to maintain a lifestyle that promotes dental health as well as overall physical health. After all, the two are inseparable.

DO:

• Eat a nutritious diet.
• Eat calcium-rich dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt to neutralize acids that attack enamel.
• Brush gently but meticulously at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Make sure you clean thoroughly between teeth with dental floss or interdental cleaners such as flossing picks.
• Get your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year.
• Have a dental examination twice yearly.

DON’T:

• Eat a sugar frequently. Sugar triggers the production of cavity-causing acids that weaken enamel.
• Snack throughout the day. This speeds up plaque production and subjects the teeth to constant bombardment with acids.
• Chew on ice.
• Use your teeth as tools. Ever!
• Drink energy drinks.
• Get oral piercings.
• Ignore tooth pain or sensitivity.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we are committed to dental excellence and the dental health of each one of our patients. Services include family and cosmetic dentistry, including porcelain veneers and dental implants. Schedule your next checkup today.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

This message from Hammond Aesthetic & General Denteistry in Provo is about tooth enamel.

Your tooth enamel is uniquely suited to protect your teeth. If you keep your tooth enamel healthy, you will avoid many oral ailments. You won’t get cavities. Your teeth will be less likely to chip or crack. You will avoid many causes of tooth stains.

It’s best to form enamel-healthy habits when you’re young.

Teach your child to protect their tooth enamel. There are a multitude of collateral health benefits as well.

For Healthy Tooth Enamel, Avoid The Following

Frequently Eating Sticky Food

Gummy candy, protein bars, and dried fruit can break teeth.

Chewing On Hard Foods

For example, Beef jerky and pitted fruits.

Grinding Teeth

If you grind your teeth, talk about it with your dentist. It can cause headaches, tooth damage, and gum recession. An appliance can guard your enamel.

Drinking Anything Besides Water Frequently

If your teeth are awash in carbonated beverages (sugared or diet), juice, coffee, or sports drinks constantly, your enamel will suffer from the acids and sugar.

Playing Sports Without a Mouthguard

Sports pose a major risk of tooth damage. Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist are more comfortable than the boil-and-bite type.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we offer family and cosmetic dentistry, and many other services. Call for an appointment today.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604