A study conducted by the University of Adelaide recently found that orthodontic care has no direct impact on a person’s long-term dental health. In other words, just because you had braces or some other form of orthodontic treatment does not mean you can be lax about dental hygiene or regular checkups and still avoid tooth decay. Braces may leave your smile looking picturesque, but the fight for healthy teeth is fought daily. Here are a few tips for practicing proper oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Aim the brush at an angle to reach the area where the teeth and gums connect. Brush with short, back-and-forth strokes across the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Brushes with soft bristles that can get between your molars are ideal. You should try to replace your toothbrush every 3–4 months or whenever the bristles start to fray. Store your toothbrush in a dry place where it can remain upright until your next use. When you floss, use about 18 inches of dental floss and wrap the ends around each of your middle fingers. Pinch the remaining string between your pointer fingers and thumbs. Run the floss back and forth and up and down between two teeth at a time and be gentle around your gums. Use a different part of the floss every couple of teeth to avoid spreading bacteria. In addition to proper brushing and flossing techniques, there are other ways you can protect your teeth. Adding mouthwash to your plaque-fighting arsenal can remove more hard-to-reach bacteria. You should also try to avoid snacking (without brushing after) before going to bed since this will give bacteria time to feed and multiply overnight. Avoid all tobacco products and, of course, remember to schedule a dental cleaning and exam twice a year. Brushing Up on Dental Care Tips for Better Oral Hygiene
Shelley Brings Compassion to Our Office And the Community As our financial coordinator, Shelley is a direct link to our patients, helping with front desk support, patient care, treatment planning, and working with insurance to see that patients are taken care of. “I run around like a mad woman to keep the office afloat,” Shelley jokes. Truly, though, her role is crucial to helping our patients overcome any barrier to dental treatment, so they can achieve the oral health they deserve. “I love it,” Shelley says of her job. “I love the variety that Dr. Nagy offers, with implants, sedation surgery, and the cosmetic end of things, from treating kids to adults.” Shelley has worked in the dental field for 22 years and says she was specific about what she was looking for in this phase of her career. It was Nagy Family Dental Group’s commitment to community that made us the right fit. “Dr. Nagy is everywhere in the community — you see his name everywhere. His involvement in the community is something I stand behind and something that brought me here,” Shelley says. “I admire him so much for what he does. He’s very ambitious, and I try to keep up,” she says with a laugh. For all her humility, Shelley is highly active in the community. She is an advocate and mentor for teens and for suicide prevention. It’s something she speaks about from the heart. Five years ago, Shelley lost her son to suicide. As unimaginable as the situation is, Shelley has found a way to help others because of what she’s gone through. “All I can do is take the worst situation and turn it into a way to help others,” she says. She knows the importance of getting people talking about this often-taboo topic; it’s the only way to prevent it. Where would you find Shelley outside of work and volunteering in the community? Most likely at the gym. Shelley is a devoted CrossFitter, a healthy habit she picked up about a year and a half ago. “I really got into it, and I absolutely love it,” Shelley says. “That’s my decompression.”
A lot of this might seem like common sense, but not everyone knows best practices when it comes to keeping your teeth healthy.
We are so blessed to have this compassionate, caring team member at Nagy Family Dental Group. Thank you for all you do Shelley — for our patients and for our community!
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