Here’s How to Take Oral Hygiene to the Next Level
By: drprice | Thursday, October 15th, 2020 | Uncategorized
Thursday, October 15th, 2020
Daily dental hygiene is an important aspect of general health and wellness. You’ve probably heard this your entire life; that you should brush twice a day and floss once a day to avoid cavities and gum disease. These are baseline recommendations that provide the guidance that is needed, but there could be more that you’re missing out on. If you struggle with maintaining oral health or want to change up your routine to enhance it, consider these tips.
- Use an electric toothbrush
Manual toothbrushes aren’t bad, per se, but some tools might work a little more efficiently. When you use an electric or sonic toothbrush, all you’ve got to do is navigate the brush around the four quadrants of the mouth. The vibrations of the toothbrush will do the rest. Just be sure that you are holding the toothbrush at the proper 45-degree angle against teeth and that you are not pressing too hard. These habits can lead to gum abrasions and recession. Also, whether using a manual or electric toothbrush, it is necessary to brush for two full minutes.
- Floss properly
Flossing once a day is, as we stated, baseline. This habit is vital to sustaining oral health because it is the only way to remove debris, sugar, and bacteria from in between teeth. For flossing to be effective, the floss must be run under the gums. This should not be painful if done correctly and if your gums are not infected. When moving the floss around each tooth, it should be held in a C-shape, somewhat “hugging” the tooth. Like brushing, flossing must be done gently to avoid damaging soft tissue. If you have questions about flossing, talk with Dr. Price or your hygienist. We’re happy to demonstrate proper flossing so you can enjoy optimal oral health!
- Rinse after flossing
This is a habit that most people miss. We know to rinse after we brush. Otherwise, we’re left with a mouthful of toothpaste. What gets overlooked is what flossing may do. When the floss is run in between teeth, it may pick up some debris and bacteria, and may only loosen some. What is loosened may go right back into hiding if not removed. Rinsing prevents this.
They say never to say “never” or “always,” but we’re going to. It’s never a bad idea to maximize what you’re doing to keep your teeth healthy. New strategies are always a good idea when it comes to oral health. To learn more about taking great care of your teeth, schedule a visit with us at (703)-935-2879.
