Good oral hygiene is essential to maintaining good oral health. Good oral hygiene includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. Practicing good oral hygiene habits can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Brushing and flossing form the foundation of good oral health. While brushing your teeth helps to remove plaque and food particles from the surface of the teeth and gum line, flossing removes debris from the pockets between teeth that the brush can’t reach. Here are a few tips that make brushing and flossing more effective.
- You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, ideally after every meal and snack. You should also floss every day to make sure you remove any plaque between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.
- To get the most benefit from your at-home oral hygiene routine, you need to make sure you are using the right products. For instance, use a soft-bristled toothbrush with round bristles. The brush should have the American Dental Association seal of approval and contain the smallest number of bristle tufts that will properly clean the tooth surfaces. A manual or electric toothbrush can be used, but make sure to replace your toothbrush and address any oral health concerns in a timely manner.
- Also, be sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride to strengthen enamel and reduce tooth decay and cavities. It’s also a good idea to choose a mouthwash that has the ADA Seal of Approval to make sure it helps prevent gingivitis and other oral health concerns.
- You also want to make sure you’re brushing for a full two minutes each time you brush. If you aren’t sure how long you’ve been brushing, set your timer on your phone or computer to signal when it’s time to switch quadrants of the mouth.
- Most people should replace their toothbrushes every three months because the bristles start to wear down and become less effective at removing plaque and bacteria from your teeth. Some signs that it’s time for a new brush include frayed or bent bristles, discoloration of the bristles, or even simply if the bristles look worn away.
- Don’t forget to floss! It’s a must for reaching plaque and food debris that toothbrushes can’t reach. It is ideal to floss at least once a day for optimal oral health results.
- In addition to sticking to these healthy habits at home, you should visit our dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings. These visits give our dentist a chance to look for signs of developing cavities or gum disease and treat these issues before they get too serious.
Implementing these tips into your daily oral care routine will help keep your mouth healthier and your smile brighter!
Contact Progressive Dental to learn more about oral care. Schedule an appointment with our dentist by calling Dentist in Ann Arbor, MI, at (734) 930-4022 or visit our office at 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive Lobby A, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.