Summer health tips from Dr. Siu

School is out for many and summertime is here! We're all ready for a break from the regular schedule and whether you go on a long trip or a short one, be sure to bring your traveling toothbrush and toothpaste along! Dr. Siu has a great toothbrush that allows you to store your toothpaste in the handle! Be sure to pick one up for your next vacation. It's very handy.

Flossing with braces can be difficult on the road or at home.Superfloss works well if you are looking for something to buy at the pharmacy or come by the office to get other tools that make flossing with braces easier.

The main thing you want to be sure to do is to brush for at least two minutes and to concentrate your efforts on the tooth surfaces near your gums. This is the place that plaque builds up the most and can be harmful to your teeth and gums. So, on the upper teeth, brush above the braces near the gums and on the lower teeth brush below the braces near the gums. Give it a good scrub all around and try to push the bristles between the teeth and under the wires. Finally, rinse thoroughly and use those cheek muscles to push the water around and get all the bits and pieces out from between your teeth and braces.

Ahhhh...doesn't it feel good to have clean teeth?!! Love that feeling!