Our team is committed to providing you with the best dental cleaning and checkup appointments. Having said that, we know how important your personal home care routine is for your oral health. When it comes to having excellent dental hygiene, you are in the driver’s seat. During your visits to our office, we will provide you with the keys to oral hygiene success. Poor home care routines can rob you of your health, confidence, time, and finances. Bad habits can also lead to frustration and discomfort. Conversely, good oral hygiene habits will give you a lifetime of dental success, boost your self-confidence, and conserve some of your most valuable resources: time and money.
The steps to proper home care are really as simple as 1, 2, 3! Following these three simple habits will help you to maintain good dental health and, consequently, your dental visits will be a positive aspect of your life.
First things first: pick up a toothbrush! It sounds simple, but it’s your first line of defense against dental disease or decay. Patients often ask us what type of toothbrush they should use. As much as we love talking about toothbrushes, our team recognizes that the real question isn’t what, but when. Regardless of whether you use an electric toothbrush or a soft manual toothbrush, the success of brushing depends on how often you use it. To keep your mouth healthy, it is recommended that you brush your teeth, gums, and tongue twice each day. Once in the morning after breakfast, and once at night before going to bed. Preventing decay and disease by brushing your teeth before bed is vital. During sleep, these bacteria are not challenged by the enzymes in saliva that keep them at bay. This creates an ideal environment for gum disease and tooth decay to flourish. Keep your dental health on track by brushing for 2 minutes twice a day.
Secondly, floss regularly. Flossing is so critical since it removes food, plaque, and debris from between your teeth. Although toothbrushes are awesome, they can’t reach these crucial areas where decay and disease commonly begin. As the old saying goes, “you only have to floss the teeth you want to keep.”
Finally, use ADA-approved antiseptic mouthwashes – preferably those that contain fluoride. In addition to killing disease-causing bacteria, mouth washes also clean your teeth and gums by acting as a ‘power washer’. Strong rinsing has been shown to remove bacteria in the oral cavity through mechanical action.
These three steps are simple but life-changing! Adopting these healthy habits will enable you to smile throughout your entire life journey!
