How to Make Professional Teeth Cleanings Last Longer: Tips from a Family Dentist in Union Ridge, Chicago

Regular teeth cleanings are important to prevent tooth decay, periodontitis, tooth loss, and more. Keeping up with these twice-yearly appointments can also help you identify dental issues in their earlier stages — when treatment is often less complicated and expensive. 

As the most trusted family dentist in Union Ridge, Chicago, Dr. Gordon J. Ziols (DDS, FAGD) and his team at Smile Innovations provide a full suite of professional dental services, including teeth cleanings. Our professional teeth cleaning services can give you a smile that helps you look and feel your best. But how do you keep your smile looking bright and healthy between dental visits? We’re going to offer some tips below.

Sustain a healthy diet.

You can make your teeth cleaning last longer by consuming foods and drinks that provide natural tooth cleaning. Crunchy fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apples, pea pods, jicama, and celery increase saliva production, which naturally cleans your teeth and neutralizes cavity-causing acid in your mouth.

Increase your intake of dairy products and other foods high in calcium — such as cooked kale, spinach, and collard greens — to help strengthen your tooth enamel and jawbone. You may also want to add more protein-rich foods — like eggs, meat, and nuts — to your diet to help your body effectively utilize calcium.

It is also important to cut down on the amount of sugar you consume. Sugar stimulates the growth of bacteria and acidity in your mouth, resulting in the right conditions for the development of dental plaque.

Maintain good oral hygiene.

After visiting your family dentist in Union Ridge, Chicago for a dental cleaning, how you care for your teeth dictates how long you will benefit from your treatment. Though your teeth may look clean, you should brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush and American Dental Association (ADA)-accepted fluoride toothpaste for two minutes twice a day and floss daily.

The proper brushing technique is to hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. When brushing the outer and chewing surfaces of your teeth, move the brush back and forth (tooth-wide) gently. You can clean the inner surface of your front teeth by tilting the brush vertically against your teeth and brushing with an up-and-down motion.

Your family dentist in Union Ridge, Chicago will most likely advise you to replace your toothbrush every two to three months — and sooner if the bristles are frayed. A toothbrush that is no longer in good condition will not effectively clean your teeth.

In addition to brushing, it is important to floss correctly. When you do not floss, you risk allowing tiny bits of food debris to become trapped between your teeth, where they can bind with bacteria and result in a persistent, unpleasant odor in exhaled breath.

Chew sugar-free gum.

It may seem unusual for a dentist to recommend chewing gum, but it can increase salivary flow by ten times the average rate. The acidity that lingers on your teeth after bacteria break down food can be neutralized and removed by chewing sugar-free gum. Sugar-free gum contains a chemical compound known as xylitol, which has been shown to suppress the growth of bacteria that can cause damage to a tooth’s surface or enamel.

Do not overlook oral and physical problems.

Ignoring oral health concerns can make it challenging to keep your sparkling white smile after you have had your teeth cleaned by your family dentist in Union Ridge, Chicago. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition that can occur due to certain medical disorders, medications, or medical treatments. It inhibits saliva production, allowing plaque to linger on your teeth for a longer period. Not replacing or repairing damaged dental fillings and appliances can also contribute to plaque formation.

Certain medical conditions, such as chronic heartburn or “gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)” and eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, can also contribute to bad breath. 

Are You Ready for a Dental Cleaning? Contact the Most Trusted Family Dentist in Union Ridge, Chicago.

Are you ready for a professional teeth cleaning? If so, and if you’re looking for the most trusted family dentist in Union Ridge, Chicago, you’ve come to the right place. For more information about how to keep your teeth healthy between dental visits, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ziols, contact our office today at (773) 763-1000.