Keeping your smile healthy starts with good oral hygiene habits. Dr. Ilya Freyman in Longwood, FL, shares a few tips that will help you 
protect your smile.
Don't rush it
How long do you spend brushing your teeth? If it's less than two minutes, you may not be getting rid of all of the plaque in your mouth. When areas of plaque remain, your risk of developing cavities rises. Following the two-minute rule will help you avoid tooth decay.
Brush morning and night
Have you ever arrived at work and discovered to your horror that you forgot to brush your teeth? Unfortunately, bad breath isn't the only problem that occurs when you skip a brushing session. Letting plaque linger on your teeth increases both your tooth decay and gum disease risk. When plaque isn't removed, it soon turns into tartar, a hard substance that may cause painful gum disease. In addition to maintaining a regular brushing schedule, you may want to keep a toothbrush at work for emergencies just in case you forget to brush.
Choose the best brush
Softer is better when it comes to brushing your teeth. Avoid brushes with medium bristles and buy the brush with soft ones. Harder bristles can erode your tooth enamel, with can cause tooth sensitivity and receding gums. Brushing too hard can even make your teeth look duller. If you wear away too much of the enamel, you'll expose the darker layer underneath called dentin.
Make time for flossing
Only 40 percent of Americans floss daily, according to the American Dental Association. If you don't floss, plaque can build up between teeth and cause cavities in those areas. Flossing once a day only takes a minute or two, but offers important oral health benefits.
Add a dental visit to your calendar
Do you visit Dr. Freyman's Longwood office every six months? Regular visits offer an excellent way to protect your oral health. Cleanings remove plaque and tartar, while X-rays and examinations help Dr. Freyman spot tooth decay and other dental issues.
Make regular dental visits part of your oral hygiene routine. Call Longwood, FL, dentist, Dr. Ilya Freyman, at (407) 260-0224 to schedule an appointment.