Seeing your dentist regularly is essential for your oral health. In addition to this, the steps you take at home are also important. Day-to-day maintenance of your teeth and gums helps keep them healthy. This can prevent a wide range of issues from gum disease to tooth loss. It’s worth the time to create good at-home dental hygiene habits.
Maintaining Dental Restorations
If you have dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, dentures, et cetera, there may be specific oral hygiene instructions you need to follow to maintain them. Your dentist can help you understand how to do this.
Flossing
You should floss once daily. Whether you do this in the morning or at night is up to you, but it is usually recommended that you floss before you brush. This is because brushing clears away any food particles that may become dislodged.
To floss properly, you should wind the floss around your middle fingers, leaving one to two inches in the middle. Place this portion between your teeth and gently move it along the gum line on both sides. Then, move the floss to reveal a new, clean portion, and continue until you have cleaned between all of your teeth. If you prefer, you can also use a water flosser.
Brushing Your Teeth
Choosing a Toothbrush
When choosing a toothbrush, make sure to choose one with soft bristles. Harder bristles can wear away at your enamel and damage your teeth over time.
When it comes to manual vs electric toothbrushes, both can be good options. Electric brushes make it slightly easier to clean your teeth effectively but are more expensive. A manual toothbrush is usually okay to use and the most important thing is that you brush regularly no matter what type of brush you use. You also need to replace either type of brush once the bristles begin to wear down or after four months at a minimum.
Choosing Toothpaste
The toothpaste you use should have at least 1,000 parts per million of fluoride and a seal of approval from the American Dental Association. Beyond this, which brand you choose is usually a matter of personal preference. If you have sensitive teeth, you should choose a toothpaste that is specifically made for this problem. If over-the-counter sensitive toothpastes are not able to help, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist to get a prescription option and to check for any underlying issues.
Toothbrushing Technique
Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and gently move it back and forth, making sure to reach all the surfaces of each tooth as well as your gums. Continue this process for at least two minutes and repeat twice daily.
Preventive Dental Care in Oro Valley, AZ
At Smith Dentalworks, we can help you maintain your oral health and provide teeth cleanings, check-ups, and other types of preventive dentistry. Our dentist can also give you helpful tips for maintaining your dental hygiene at home.
