Good dental habits should include regular brushing and flossing, as well as the proper techniques.
To maintain a healthy smile, you must commit to proper oral hygiene habits, such as daily brushing and flossing. But the reality is that brushing is not always enough to maintain the condition of your teeth, especially if some of your lifestyle habits are causing damage. Read on to find out what you can do to improve your dental routine and enjoy a cleaner smile…
1. Get your technique right
Brushing is an important step in any oral hygiene routine, but it’s important to understand that a quick brush is simply not enough. To get rid of plaque, food particles, and other debris, you must master your brushing technique. To do so, begin by holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and moving it in short strokes back and forth along the tops and sides of your teeth. Once you have cleaned these surfaces, hold your toothbrush vertically and clean the backs of the teeth—plaque often builds up in these areas.
2. Don’t rush the process
You might brush your teeth regularly — at least twice a day is advisable — but do you brush for long enough each time? Most dentists recommend that you spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth to give them a thorough clean. If you find it difficult to do so, try playing a song while you brush, or set a timer if you prefer.
3. Use the right tools
To brush your teeth thoroughly, it’s best to use a toothbrush that feels comfortable to manoeuvre around your mouth. Choose one with a small head so that you can easily clean all the hard-to-reach areas in which food particles are likely to get stuck. It’s also advisable to use a toothbrush with soft bristles that won’t cause any damage to the enamel of your teeth. Most dentists recommend that you change your toothbrush every few months as the bristles tend to wear out with time.
You might also consider incorporating mouthwash into your routine. Rinsing with mouthwash helps get rid of debris that your toothbrush may not be able to reach. Additionally, a tongue scraper is helpful when it comes to removing bacteria and plaque.
4. Don’t forget to floss
Flossing is key when it comes to removing plaque and debris from between the teeth and along the gum line. To floss effectively, make sure that you use a fairly long piece of dental floss and that you use a clean area of floss every few teeth — this will help to prevent the spread of germs. Be sure to floss between all of your teeth and take your time wrapping the floss around each tooth.
5. Limit snacks
Frequent snacking, as well as snacking after you have brushed your teeth can result in food particles and sugars sticking to the teeth for extended periods of time. This, in turn, contributes to the build-up of plaque and harmful acids, which can lead to issues like tooth decay and gum disease.
If you do enjoy the occasional snack, try to rinse your mouth with water afterward to limit the effects of harmful acids.
How can we help?
At Somerset Dental Care, we encourage our patients to practice proper oral hygiene every day and to come in and see us for regular dental check-ups and professional cleans. We offer a range of preventative treatments designed to help you keep your natural teeth strong and healthy for life. If it’s been a while since you saw your dentist, we encourage you to come in and see us.
To find out about our preventative dentistry, please have a look here.
To make an appointment, please get in touch here or give us a call at (02) 4648 0909.
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