Spring cleaning is not just for your house. After a long Shenandoah Valley winter of hot chocolate, comfort food, and possibly a few missed dental appointments, spring is the ideal time to refresh your oral health routine. This seasonal checklist will help you start the warmer months with a clean slate and a healthy smile.
Start with your tools. Replace your toothbrush or electric brush head, if you have been using the same one since the holidays, the bristles are worn and cleaning less effectively. A fresh brush removes up to 75 percent more plaque than a worn one. While you are at it, check your floss supply, mouthwash expiration dates, and any other oral hygiene products you use regularly.
Schedule your spring cleaning appointment if you have not already. The American Dental Association recommends professional cleanings every six months, and many patients find that scheduling in the spring and fall keeps them on a consistent yearly rhythm. A professional cleaning removes tartar, hardened plaque that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone, from areas you might be missing, particularly along the gum line and behind your lower front teeth where tartar accumulates most quickly.
Spring is also an excellent time for cosmetic procedures if you have been considering them. Teeth whitening before summer events, weddings, and vacations gives you time to complete treatment and settle into your new shade. Invisalign treatment started in spring can deliver significant improvement by the time holiday photos roll around in November and December.
Evaluate your diet as part of your spring refresh. Winter comfort foods tend to be heavy on sugar and starches, hot cocoa, cookies, bread, pasta, all of which feed the bacteria that cause cavities. As fresh produce becomes available at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market and Valley roadside stands, incorporate more crunchy vegetables and fruits that naturally clean tooth surfaces and stimulate saliva production. Celery, carrots, apples, and pears are particularly beneficial.
If you grind your teeth, spring is a good time to have your night guard evaluated. Stress, whether from tax season, end-of-semester deadlines, or seasonal allergies that cause mouth breathing, can intensify grinding and clenching. A worn or ill-fitting night guard provides inadequate protection and may actually worsen jaw pain. Your dentist can assess the fit and recommend replacement if needed.
Finally, do not overlook sun protection for your lips as you head outdoors for hiking, gardening, and spring sports. Lip cancer accounts for a significant percentage of oral cancers, and chronic UV exposure is a primary risk factor. Use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher whenever you spend time outside. Our Harrisonburg team performs an oral cancer screening at every exam, but daily sun protection is your first line of defense.