We all know that brushing and flossing are essential for maintaining oral hygiene. But how to maximize the effectiveness of your oral hygiene routine? In this article, we offer tips for building the best oral care routine and discuss services that help maintain good oral health.
The Best Oral Care Routine: Brushing, Flossing & Beyond
Brush Correctly
Brushing your teeth twice a day is the most important, non-negotiable step for maintaining good oral health. If plaque is not removed from your teeth daily, it hardens and turns into tartar. Both plaque and tartar harbor bacteria and are the main causes of tooth decay and gum disease.
To effectively remove plaque and food residue, brush your teeth for two full minutes after breakfast and before bed. Choose a soft or medium-soft brush that effectively cleans your teeth without harming your gums. Make sure to clean well in hard-to-reach areas in the mouth and along the gumline.
Choose the Right Toothpaste
Dentists recommend using a fluoride toothpaste, as it helps remineralize tooth enamel, making it stronger and more resilient to cavities, and also helps reduce bacterial growth in the mouth.
Additionally, we recommend avoiding abrasive toothpastes, such as those containing charcoal or soda, as they can create microscratches on tooth enamel and lead to discoloration. Also, avoid over-the-counter whitening solutions, as they can harm your gums and tooth enamel, increasing tooth sensitivity and the risk of cavities.
Floss Thoroughly
We recommend flossing every evening before brushing your teeth. Move the flossing thread carefully up and down between each pair of teeth to remove food debris and plaque, making sure to clean each tooth on both sides. Avoid pushing the thread too far into the gumline, as it can irritate the gums and cause bleeding and gum infection if it happens consistently.
If using traditional floss is challenging or you wear orthodontic appliances, try floss threaders or floss picks to make the process more comfortable and effective.
Add a Water Flosser to Your Routine
A water flosser is a modern oral hygiene device that utilizes a stream of pressurized water to remove plaque and food debris from teeth. It has proven to be effective at improving gum health and reducing the risk of cavities when used correctly.
A water flosser should be used as an additional step in your evening routine, before traditional flossing and brushing. Remember that a water flosser can not replace the other steps in your routine.
Water flossers can also help streamline oral hygiene routines for people with dental restorations, orthodontic appliances, or reduced hand dexterity.
Get Professional Cleanings Regularly
Plaque and tartar tend to accumulate in hard-to-reach areas in the mouth over time, especially if you have orthodontic issues such as crowded or rotated teeth. Therefore, even if you have an impeccable at-home oral hygiene routine, regular professional cleanings are still necessary.
It is recommended to have cleanings every 6 months if you have good oral health, and every 3 to 4 months if you are prone to cavities, have compromised enamel, or gum disease.
In addition to professional cleanings, we recommend opting for fluoride treatments. Fluoride solutions used in dental offices are much more potent than over-the-counter products and effectively remineralize and strengthen tooth enamel.
Make an Appointment at My Dentist Upland
Do not hesitate to make an appointment with a top local dentist at My Dentist Upland today. At our office, we offer a variety of preventive procedures and treatments to help our clients preserve and improve their oral health. We are looking forward to your visit.