Good oral hygiene is crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, preventing dental problems, and ensuring fresh breath. This article will discuss tips and techniques to help you maintain good oral hygiene.
The Importance of Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene involves daily care and regular checkups with a dental professional. Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental issues such as gum disease, cavities, and tooth loss. Gum disease is a common dental problem affecting three out of four adults at some point in their lives, and it can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
Brushing Techniques
Using proper brushing techniques is essential for good oral hygiene. At Westsprings Dental, we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush or power toothbrush and positioning it at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Use gentle, circular motions to clean the outside surfaces of your teeth, and don’t forget to clean the inside surfaces of your back teeth. For example, to clean the inside surfaces of your upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically and use several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Lastly, clean the biting surfaces of your teeth with short, gentle strokes, changing the brush’s position as necessary to reach all surfaces. Make sure to brush for at least two minutes twice a day.
Flossing Techniques
Flossing is crucial to oral hygiene, as it helps remove plaque and debris between teeth. To floss correctly, use an adequate amount of floss and wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the middle finger of the other hand. Next, gently insert the floss between your teeth and move it back and forth in a C-shape against each tooth. Be sure to clean both tooth surfaces in each space and to use fresh floss as needed.
Caring for Sensitive Teeth
If you have sensitive teeth, it’s important to take extra care when brushing and flossing. If your teeth are very sensitive, consult your dentist, who may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse for sensitive teeth.
Choosing Dental Care Products
Choosing the right dental care products can be overwhelming, but we suggest opting for electric toothbrushes equipped with a rotary brush and a Waterpik, as they are both safe and efficient choices. Oral irrigators can rinse your mouth thoroughly but cannot remove plaque on their own. Fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse can help reduce tooth decay by up to 40% when used in conjunction with brushing and flossing. Finally, anti-plaque rinses approved by the Canadian Dental Association can help control early gum disease when used along with brushing and flossing.
Professional Dental Cleaning
In addition to daily brushing and flossing, a professional dental cleaning every six months can help remove tartar and plaque in areas you may have missed. This cleaning is important to your dental care routine and can help prevent gum disease and tooth loss.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile. If you have questions about your oral care routine or need to schedule a dental cleaning, please call us at 403-686-7266.