Keeping up with oral hygiene basics can prevent cavities and other issues with your teeth. Proper daily care can also stop discoloration of the teeth and reduce bad breath. Here are some dental habits that people can benefit from including as part of a daily routine.
One of the most important parts of oral hygiene is brushing your teeth regularly. You should brush twice a day for approximately two minutes each time. It is important to use a toothbrush in good condition and replace it when the bristles start to fray or warp. Your toothpaste should include fluoride as a key ingredient.
The proper brushing technique involves making a lot of small circular movements with the toothbrush and taking the time to cover the entire mouth. It is important to clean around the gums, but you should avoid pressing too hard, as that can cause bleeding and other damage. The tongue should also be regularly brushed, as it is a common area for bacteria to linger.
In addition to brushing twice a day, flossing at least once a day is one of the oral hygiene basics for maintaining healthy teeth. There are many options for flossing, including premade flossing sticks, water flossers, and more choices that can make flossing easier. When flossing, it is important not to press too hard on the gums, drawing blood. Instead, one should focus on moving the floss between every tooth to clean the spaces and prevent bacteria growth. Making flossing a daily habit is equally important to brushing for preventing dental health issues.
Regular checkups are another important aspect of oral hygiene basics. Routine cleaning and examinations from a dentist help catch any problems with dental health early on. It can be a good idea for adults to see a dentist once or twice a year as part of the oral care routine. In addition to visiting a dental provider for regular cleanings, it can also be a good idea for anyone noticing pain or changes in their teeth or gums to consult a dentist.
While not as important as regular brushing and flossing, oral hygiene basics can also include the use of mouthwash. Generally, choosing a mouthwash should involve looking for one that includes fluoride, which can help prevent cavities. Even after brushing and flossing, you may find some small pieces of food left behind. Mouthwash rinses away anything that remains and can be a great final step of a daily dental care routine.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Hygiene Basics in Houston, TX
Oral hygiene basics should include daily practices such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash to maintain good dental health. Consistent checkups are another important part of basic care that should not be forgotten. By keeping up these practices, it is much more likely that cavities and more serious issues with the teeth and gums can be avoided.
Request an appointment or call Midtown Dental - The Gallery of Smiles at 713-979-4127 for an appointment in our Houston office.
Everyone learns oral hygiene basics when they are young, but some details get lost over time. For example, many adults are confused about what type of toothbrush to use. This simple tool comes in many different forms, including a variety of sizes and a range of bristle textures. You may wonder why there are so…
Healthy teeth are a vital part of being able to eat and enjoy food, but certain foods can be more harmful to dental health than others. Learning about foods that help and hurt the teeth is an important part of oral hygiene basics that can be helpful in guiding the choices people make when caring…
Although many people believe that plaque and tartar are the same, they actually have significant differences. Understanding the distinctions between these two dental conditions can help you identify their warning signs and practice oral hygiene basics to avoid them.Plaque is a soft film containing millions of bacteria that build up on your teeth, gums, and…
A dentist recommends teeth whitening for patients that have mild to moderate teeth stains. They use a peroxide bleach that can safely target and remove stains on visible front teeth, improving the color and shade of your smile. The following is a discussion of professional teeth whitening and how to determine if treatment is right…
General dentists spend a significant portion of their time performing preventative dental treatments. These treatments reduce the odds of common dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, from developing in the future. Preventative care saves patients time and money by making it less likely that they will develop severe dental problems that call for…
