What Is An Ideal Oral Health Routine?
Since your first time at the dentist, you have most likely been told about the importance of brushing and flossing your teeth. Oral health begins with clean teeth which is why dentists stress starting these habits early on to build the foundation as we grow old. Brushing twice a day is a fundamental piece of an ideal oral health routine but you don’t have to stop there. Another piece of an ideal oral health routine is flossing between the teeth and rinsing. Don’t forget about regularly visiting your dentist! These are all crucial pieces of an ideal oral health routine which is essential to keep your teeth clean and prevent any further tooth decay or disease.
Brushing Your Teeth!
The first part of having a good dental routine is brushing twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. We recommend brushing for 2 minute which can be split into 30 second intervals for each part of the mouth. If you struggle with keeping track of how long you are brushing, there are many toothbrushes sold today that have built-in timers to let you know when to switch quadrants.
When brushing your teeth make sure to maintain a 45-degree angle to your tooth’s surface and aim more for the gum line. To achieve the best cleaning you will want to cover all the dental surface in your mouth. This helps loosen up debris and bacteria that has accumulated since your last brushing. Don’t forget to scrub your tongue which can attract bacteria and affect your breath!
Flossing & Mouthwash Rinse
Flossing and rinsing daily is important if you want to improve your dental health, flossing can reach tight spaces that are often missed when you brush your teeth. These tight spaces between your teeth and under the gum line can attain bacteria that will cause tooth decay and possibly gum disease. When flossing you will want to make sure to reach all your teeth, don’t neglect the back ones!
After you have finished brushing and flossing don’t forget to rinse your mouth with mouthwash. Mouthwash can reach small pieces of bacteria or food that was missed during brushing and flossing. Mouthwash can reduce the amount of acid in the mouth, reach the hard-to-brush areas and actually remineralize the teeth. Do you keep forgetting to use your mouthwash? Find a flavor of mouthwash you like, regardless of the brand, and it is more likely you’ll start using it regularly.
Visiting dentist on regular basis
The final part to having the best oral health routine is visiting your dentist on a regular basis, normally the recommendation is twice a year but this can vary from person to person. Everyone has their own dental needs which is why you should always communicate with your dentist about what works best for you. On these regular checkups don’t be afraid to voice concerns or ask questions about your dental health, we are here to help no matter the dental need.
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