While it’s important to visit the dentist at least once every six months for a professional teeth cleaning and to address any other issues before they become too great, a big part of a good oral care routine is what you do at home. Most dentists recommend that this routine consists of brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. You may also choose to complement your brushing and flossing with the likes of mouthwash to further minimize the amount of bacteria that’s present in the mouth. Yes, a good oral routine is important – but so are the tools that are used. With that said, are you using the right tools in your oral routine?
The Toothbrush
A good toothbrush should be comfortable to use and be able to reach all the teeth in your mouth adequately. Most dentists also advise that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush, as they’re effective in removing plaque and debris, and greatly decrease the chances of irritating your mouth in the process. Toothbrushes should also be replaced after about three months, as this is usually about the time that bristles start to become worn from repeat use. It can be natural for many people to only replace their toothbrush after they see the dentist at their six month cleaning. Don’t fall into this trap – swap out your old toothbrush for a new one about once a quarter.
Floss/Mouthwash
Flossing is crucial for removing food debris and plaque in between the teeth that the toothbrush has difficulty reaching. There are many different types of floss that are available for purchase, so be sure to try out then select the one that feels the most comfortable for you. As a reminder, you should be flossing at least once a day. It doesn’t really matter when you floss (i.e., morning, afternoon, evening), it’s just important that you floss.
Mouthwash, on the other hand, isn’t necessary to maintain good oral health, but most dentists do recommend it. That’s because it helps disinfect the mouth, thereby helping to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. It also helps to freshen breath.
Other Tools
There are various other tools that you may elect to incorporate into your oral health routine. These include the likes of tongue scrapers, which help remove bad-breath causing bacteria on the tongue. Brushing your tongue with your toothbrush can also help eliminate bacteria on the tongue, though not to the level of the scraper. You may even choose to up the ante on your flossing by acquiring a water flosser, which blast pressurized water into the mouth to help remove debris and plaque in more hard-to-reach areas.
For more information on the right tools that you need in your arsenal to get into a good at-home oral health routine, contact Caven Dental today.
