Why You Shouldn’t Skip Flossing Your Teeth | Dentist in Palos Hills, IL 60465

Orthodontist Oak Lawn, IL
Why You Shouldn't Skip Flossing Your Teeth

Wearing braces means you need to double up on efforts to keep your mouth clean. That means brushing twice a day or after meals, as well as flossing. That last step stumps some people when they first get outfitted with traditional braces, but it doesn’t have to. 

Removing food particles and plaque between teeth requires some adjustments while wearing braces. The wires, brackets, and bands can be trickier to get in between, but it can be done with some patience, extra time, and some simple tips.

  • Use the right amount of floss.  Too much or too little can make flossing more difficult. The American Dental Association recommends using 12 to 18 inches of floss. Ideally, you should use a clean section in between each tooth.
  • Experiment with different kinds of floss. Waxed floss and dental tape slip between teeth more easily than the unwaxed variety, making it less likely that you will damage your wires. Both options are also less likely to shred and leave pieces of floss stuck in your orthodontics. Waxed floss works best for tight teeth while tape is generally easier to use in wider spaces.
  • Use a floss threader. This inexpensive dental tool resembles a tiny lasso and works like a (dull) sewing needle and thread. It lets you pull the floss through the teeth above the wires. This allows you to floss between your teeth at the gum line, which is important for maintaining healthy gums. Floss threaders are available at the drugstore, supermarket or online. They are meant to be disposable, so use a new one each time you floss.
  • Look into other interdental cleaners. Water flossers can help blast away food particles around brackets and between teeth, while interdental brushes can help remove debris when flossing is not convenient. While dental floss is your best defense against tooth decay, our team can talk to you about these adjuncts to proper oral hygiene with braces.  
  • Help younger children with their flossing. Flossing successfully, especially with braces, requires a degree of manual dexterity that younger wearers may not have. Time, practice, and help from an adult are the best solutions. Impress on kids the importance of cleaning every tooth surface to avoid tooth decay and gum problems while they are wearing braces.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene habits while wearing braces will help ensure that when the orthodontics come off, the wearer will have the beautiful and healthy smile they have always wanted. We welcome your questions and are happy to help demonstrate good oral hygiene with braces for your child.  Call our 60465 orthodontist today.

Unexpected Uses for Toothpaste | Palos Hills, IL 60465 Orthodontist

Orthodontist in Oak Lawn, IL
Unexpected Uses For Toothpaste |

Toothpaste does a great job of keeping your teeth clean but there are many other, unexpected uses that you might not have considered. The same ingredients that help polish teeth can also prove to be a real helper around the house. Here are a few toothpaste tips that go beyond keeping your smile bright and mouth healthy. 

Dry out pimples. This is a time-honored trick that is even used by Hollywood stars. Apply toothpaste to pimples before bedtime and wash the dried paste off in the morning. This will dry out the affected area and speed up the healing process.

Prevent mirrors from fogging. Rub toothpaste on mirrors and wipe it off before your next shower. This will help you save time waiting for the mirror to clear up and streamline your morning routine.

Relieve irritation from bug bites and stings. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to bee stings and insect bites to stop the itching and decrease swelling. The toothpaste dries out the wound and helps it heal more quickly.

Remove crayon and other marks from painted walls. Rub toothpaste on a damp cloth gently on a marked-up wall and watch the marks disappear. The best part is that it won’t remove most types of wall paint.

Make silver jewelry and diamonds sparkle. Rub toothpaste onto jewelry and leave it on overnight. Wipe clean with a soft cloth in the morning. You can also shine diamonds by gently scrubbing them with a very soft toothbrush, some toothpaste, and water.

Remove scuffs from shoes. Apply toothpaste directly to the dirty or scuffed area, then scrub with a brush and wipe clean. Stubborn stains may require another round or two.

Remove scratches on DVDs and CDs. If you have any old CDs or DVDs that you want to preserve or convert to digital, toothpaste can rub out shallow scratches and smudges. Apply a thin coating, rub gently, and rinse. Repeat if needed.

Deodorize hands. Pungent foods, cleaning products, and fragrances can linger on your hands no matter how many times you wash them. Try washing your hands using a small dab of toothpaste in addition to soap and water.

Fill in small nail holes. Squeeze toothpaste into the hole and use a putty knife or your finger to remove the excess. Let the toothpaste dry and your wall will look good as new. If needed, you can also use touch up paint right over the toothpaste.

It doesn’t matter whether you use toothpaste with fluoride or without, but the mild abrasives and drying action of white pastes usually work better than tooth gel. Give some of these ideas a try, and at your next appointment with our 60465 orthodontist, be sure to let us know the unusual ways you used toothpaste.