Many common dental conditions can be totally avoided with the proper preventive care. Not only does preventive care involve visiting our office twice a year for cleanings and exams, it also means practicing healthy oral hygiene at home. Today, we want to talk about the different steps in a healthy oral hygiene routine, including one step that you might be forgetting!
Brushing the Right Way
Regular tooth brushing is one of the keystones of good oral hygiene. To get the most out of brushing, you should brush twice daily for two minutes each time. Be sure you’re using a soft-bristled brush, as medium or hard bristles can be abrasive and damage tooth enamel. Also, be gentle — vigorously scrubbing away at your teeth in an effort to finish faster can damage enamel and irritate gums!
Floss Every Day
If you regularly brush but forget to floss, keep in mind that you’re only cleaning 60 percent of your tooth! You should floss once each day to remove bacteria and food particles that get trapped between teeth and later build up to form plaque and tartar. Take the time to floss gently and ensure you reach every tooth — your mouth will thank you!
Don’t Forget to Brush Your Tongue!
Last but not least, do not forget about your tongue! Bacteria can accumulate on your tongue between taste buds and other tongue structures. By brushing your tongue, you can keep bad bacteria from building up and even freshen your breath! The best way to brush your tongue is to gently brush both back and forth and side to side, then rinse your mouth with water. For an extra clean, you may want to invest in a tongue scraper, available at most drugstores.
To ask our team any questions about caring for your oral health or to schedule your next visit to Reen Chung, DDS, contact us today!
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