Preserving Your Smile

blue diamond bulletBrush with a soft bristle toothbrush after meals with a fluoride toothpaste. When children less than 8 years old are using a fluoride toothpaste, they should be supervised to make sure that they only use a pea sized amount of toothpaste and that they spit the toothpaste out and rinse with water when done brushing.

blue diamond bulletFloss by hand or use a battery powered flossing machine, once a day to get out all the stuff your toothbrush misses.

blue diamond bullet Minimize foods and drinks loaded with sugar which is a key ingredient in white spot and cavity formation.

blue diamond bullet Rinse with a plaque and gingivitis fighting mouth rinse like Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash or Crest Pro Health Rinse for 30 seconds twice a day.

blue diamond bullet Have your teeth evaluated and professionally cleaned by your family dentist at least twice a year. 

blue diamond bullet Wear a mouth guard during sports especially contact sports.

blue diamond bullet Wear your retainer after your braces are removed to keep your teeth from moving out of alignment. If you slip up and don't wear your retainer enough to keep your teeth as straight as you want them, go back and see your orthodontist. Orthodontists know that you are only human and that you are not the first patient who has needed help to get back on track. Maybe your present retainer just needs an adjustment; maybe you need an appliance of a different design to recover; or maybe you need to go back into braces briefly. Your orthodontist has seen and heard it all before, so give your orthodontist a chance to help you.

blue diamond bullet Avoid tongue piercing which can crack teeth, introduce bacteria into your blood causing systemic infection and irritate your gums causing gum recession.

blue diamond bullet Wear a night guard if you have a tooth grinding habit .

blue diamond bullet Avoid using smoking and chewing tobacco.
 
 

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You may schedule an orthodontic appointment with Dr. William Trepp in his Pasadena, MD office by calling 410.696.4624 or in his Clinton, MD office by calling  301.868.6200. Written inquiries should be mailed to: 3020 Mountain RD, Pasadena, MD 21122, USA or 8918 Woodyard RD, Clinton, MD 20735, USA
 

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