Oral Hygiene Habits for a Healthier Smile
Developing and maintaining good oral hygiene habits is the most important thing you can do to take care of your oral health. We would love to share this reminder with you, along with some wisdom, to help you keep your smile beautiful and healthy. Continue reading for more information.
The Basics
Brush, floss, and schedule regular check-ups. These three things are the bare minimum we all need to do to keep our mouths healthy and our smiles in top form. Make sure you do them correctly to get the most out of these simple yet essential habits to reduce cavities and decay.
Oral Hygiene for the Win
- Brush Twice a Day: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for two minutes, twice a day. Better yet, use an electric toothbrush that times you and uses the correct circular motion for brushing.
- Floss Every Day: Flossing is a vital step for removing any plaque that brushing missed. Use flossing picks if you have mobility issues and don’t feel comfortable with dental floss.
- Clean Your Tongue and Gums: Remember to gently clean your gums when you brush, and don’t neglect your tongue. Consider a tongue scraper to remove bacteria.
- Careful When You Rinse: The instinct to rinse as soon as you finish brushing is strong, but you may be rinsing away fluoride. Try spitting out excess toothpaste and wiping the outside of your mouth only.
- Replace Your Toothbrush: Change your toothbrush every three to four months or even sooner if the bristles are frayed.
Lifestyle Habits to Keep You on Track
- See Us: Make sure you visit us for regular check-ups and cleanings. The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least every six months.
- Say No to Tobacco and Vaping: Stay away from smoking or using any tobacco or nicotine products — this includes vape pens. Don’t risk increasing your chances of gum disease or oral cancer. Tobacco and nicotine products are bad for your whole body.
- Choose Water: Drink water instead of soft drinks or juice. Besides hydrating you and being good for your overall health, drinking water rinses away food particles and keeps your teeth clean.
- Cut Down on Sugar: Bacteria love sugar. Try to cut down to lower the risk of cavities.
A Few More Thoughts
If you have young children, get them started with good habits as soon as you can. Begin brushing as soon as they get their first teeth. Teach them early to develop good oral hygiene habits.
There are a lot of useful tools available now to make brushing and flossing easier and more effective. Flossing picks, electric toothbrushes, and water flossers can make your routine easier and give you better results.
If you ever have questions or concerns about your routine or want to discuss it with us, let us know when you schedule your next appointment, and we can go over any questions you may have. Call to schedule your next appointment at our office located in Monroe, WI.
