February 2nd, 2012 With February being National Children's
Dental Health Month, our team at Parker Orthodontics thought
we'd share a few good oral hygiene tips with our patients,
courtesy of the American Dental Association, or ADA. • Teeth
brushing techniques: It takes only two minutes to properly
brush, using short, gentle strokes and devoting extra attention
to the gumline, areas around fillings and hard-to-reach areas
such as the back teeth. • Flossing: hold the floss snugly
between thumbs and index finger and place between each of the
teeth, making sure to go beneath the gumline and curving the
floss around the base of each tooth. • Snack wisely: choose
healthy snacks such as vegetables, fruits and cheese and avoid
sticky, chewy candies that can stick to the teeth. If you eat
these snacks, make sure to brush after doing so. • Carbonated or
sugary drinks: these beverages create acids that can damage the
teeth when mixed with saliva, so they should be avoided
altogether. When drinking one of these beverages