Do you consider brushing your teeth the only thing that you need to do to take care of your teeth? If so, you should consider changing up your oral care routine. Simply brushing your teeth twice a day is not going to keep them in the best shape possible! There is a lot more that you need to do to take care of your oral health. Let us go through some tips and techniques that can help maintain a healthy smile.
Do Not Go to Sleep Without Brushing Your Teeth
Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice daily. You can even make it a habit to brush your teeth after every meal if you really want to keep on top of your oral health. The most important time to not forget to brush your teeth is before bed. This is essential to get rid of any food debris, bacteria, and plaque you built up during the day.
Brush Using the Proper Technique
Not brushing properly is almost as bad as not brushing at all! The way you brush your teeth can determine whether they get clean and free from plaque. You should never rush through brushing, and you need to use slow, gentle, and circular motions to remove plaque. If you fail to remove the plaque from your teeth, over time, this can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Always Remember to Brush Your Tongue
Your tongue can also build up plaque. Not brushing your tongue results in having bad breath, but more than that, it can cause other oral health problems. Remember to include your tongue when you are brushing your teeth.
Use A Toothpaste That Contains Fluoride
It does not matter what brand of toothpaste you use, just make sure that it contains fluoride. Fluoride helps to fight against the tooth decay causing bacteria, and it also provides a protective barrier over your teeth.
Flossing Is as Important as Brushing
Flossing cleans the surfaces of your teeth that cannot be reached by a toothbrush, so that makes it almost as important as brushing. It also helps to stimulate your gums, reduce plaque between the teeth and help to lower inflammation. If you find that brushing and flossing cause your gums to bleed, that is a sign of early gum disease and you should be more vigilant about brushing and flossing more often.
Consider Using Mouthwash
Most people do not know the benefits of using mouthwash, but there are three main things that mouthwash helps take care of your teeth. Mouthwash helps to reduce the amount of damaging acid in your mouth, it cleans hard to reach areas in and around the gums, and it remineralizes your teeth.
If you have any questions or want to learn more tips about keeping your oral health in great shape, ask your dentist at Strathroy Family Dental.
