As you know, there’s plaque that sticks to your smile on a day to day basis, which is full of bacteria you cannot see. As a result, you cannot just assume at first glance that all is well because your smile “looks okay.” Instead, you need to rely on preventive care measures to ensure you’re doing your best. Feeling a little worried and wondrous about how things are going? We have a checklist that will help.

Item #1: You Brush Twice Daily

The first item of business is taking stock of your brushing. It is imperative that it occurs two times, every single day, without fail if you want your teeth and gums to remain clean. If not, your teeth will remain coated in plaque (and food particles may remain), while tartar forms.

Item #2: You Floss One Time Each Day

Your smile is only clean if you’re brushing your teeth and flossing, too. Check in with yourself to ensure you floss every day, just one time (unless you want to floss more often).

Item #3: You Brush For Two Minutes Per Brushing Session

Now, let’s review the length of your brushing routine. When you brush your smile, the entire event should last two minutes for effective preventive care. If it doesn’t, it’s not long enough. If it’s much longer, go ahead and shorten it. Simple.

Item #4: You Don’t Eat Or Drink Before Bed (After Brushing)

If you brush twice a day and floss once but you eat or drink (something other than water) before you crawl into bed, you’re undermining your efforts. Keep your smile clean by avoiding this action.

Item #5: You See Us Every Six Months For A Cleaning

Finally, your teeth are only as clean as they can be if you’re visiting us two times each year for a preventive care visit (it includes a cleaning).