How To Practice Good Home Dental Care
If you really want a great smile, you should practice great home dental care. With the Coronavirus keeping everyone indoors, there’s never been a better time to get started! Some of these concepts may seem obvious but if overlooked or skipped, can have a lifelong negative impact on your teeth, your smile, and even your overall health.
The best way to practice good oral hygiene at home is by brushing the teeth. Proper brushing involves the use of a soft toothbrush and brushing as instructed by your dentist or dental hygienist. We recommend brushing at least twice a day, and especially after eating, to remove the food debris that causes the issues with our teeth. Our office also advises our patients to floss at least once a day and flossing at night is especially beneficial. At night, the mouth tends to dry out and bacteria are therefore much more detrimental to the oral tissues, so flossing before bed is particularly important in practicing good home dental care.
How Fluoride Helps
Fluoride is a naturally occurring compound in most water systems. In the mouth, fluoride replaces the calcium ions in the enamel, making the enamel more resistant to breakdown by the acids produced by bacteria and the simple sugars that we consume in our diets.
Fluoridated Toothpaste
Teach Dental Group recommends that our patients use a regular toothpaste with fluoride. Many toothpastes contain additives that can be detrimental to oral health. A few brands of toothpaste cause tissue sloughing, in which the outer layer of the oral tissues sheds, creating a “cotton mouth” feeling. Sloughing also makes individuals more susceptible to certain diseases. A plain, fluoridated toothpaste, as recommended by the ADA, is ideal for cleansing the teeth without causing any harmful side effects. Fluoridated toothpaste should be a part of every good home dental care regiment.
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Floss Daily
A toothbrush will clean only three surfaces of the teeth: the top or bottom edge, the front, and the back. The proximal surfaces (the side edges of the teeth) are unable to be fully accessed by even the most advanced toothbrushes, and they are thus susceptible to decay. Good home dental care should always include flossing. Dental floss is capable of fitting between the teeth and cleaning out the food debris that has accumulated in these gaps, reducing the chance of developing gum disease.
Use The Right Mouthwash
Mouthwash is an important tool in fighting gum disease but using alcohol-based mouthwashes too frequently can become problematic. Excessive intake of alcohol is one of the predisposing factors to oral cancer, so it is important to monitor your alcohol consumption and to use mouthwash only as directed. Our office recommends the use of alcohol-free mouthwash, which is just as effective in freshening the breath as brands that contain alcohol are.
We Hope You’re Practicing Good Home Dental Care
We certainly hope you and your loved ones are practicing good oral health care at home. Although we love to see our patients for check-ups, we also love to help our patients retain their natural teeth for as long as possible. These home dental care tips should help you achieve life-long results and a beautiful smile. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a check-up please call our dedicated Buffalo dentists today.
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Don’t neglect your tongue because plaque can also build upon your tongue. Not only can this lead to bad mouth odor, but it can lead to other oral health problems. Gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.