18 Jul 4 Tips for the Best Preventative Oral Health Routine
Taking care of your oral health is critical for your overall health. That is why you need to have an excellent preventative oral health routine. Here are four tips for the best preventative oral health routine.
1. Brush Twice a Day as Part of Your Preventative Oral Health Routine
Brushing is a vital part of the best preventative oral health routine. You should brush minimally twice a day for two minutes each time.
How you brush and what you use to brush your teeth are also important. For example, if you want to use a toothbrush with soft bristles, you should brush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface.
You also want to move the brush in a circular motion and make sure you brush every surface of the tooth. This will be the most effective way to remove plaque and tartar. Also, don’t forget to brush your tongue! It also holds bacteria in your mouth.
2. Floss Once Every Day
Brushing your teeth isn’t enough to remove the plaque from the areas between your teeth. That’s why you need to floss. The most effective technique for dental flossing is to use an 18-inch long piece of dental floss or an interdental brush to insert into those spaces.
If you’re using dental floss, wrap each end of the floss around your middle fingers and use your thumbs to guide the floss. Use up and down strokes to thoroughly clean the surface between your teeth.
If you like using a water flosser, you need to know that while they are great at removing larger pieces of food and debris, they cannot clean the biofilm that forms on the surface of your teeth. For that, you need dental floss or an interdental brush.
3. Good Preventative Oral Health Routines Include Mouthwash
A good antibacterial mouthwash is recommended as part of your oral health routine. Mouthwash prevents harmful bacteria in your mouth from getting out of control, and they also reduce plaque buildup.
You want to choose an alcohol-free brand to avoid having a dry mouth. Using a brand that carries the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance is best.
It would be best to use your mouthwash daily as part of your preventative oral health care routine.
4. See Your Dentist Regularly
No matter how good your preventative oral health routine is, it would be best if you still saw your dentist regularly. While you can take good care of your teeth at home, only your dentist can clean below the gumline and spot problems before they become too serious.
You should be scheduling a dental exam at least once every year, but the best preventative oral health care routines include regular six-month visits to see the dentist. If you’re prone to cavities or have other dental problems, you may need to see them more often.
Final Thoughts
At Aesthetic Dental Partners, we’re always happy to answer your questions to help you care for your oral health. Call our office today for an appointment to keep your smile bright.