Many dental patients, despite their best efforts, get into ruts when it comes to caring for their smiles at home. You may be brushing twice a day, but are you really doing everything you can to help maintain a healthy, attractive smile? Our Toluca Lake dentists are here with some quick tips on how you can supercharge your oral hygiene routine, let’s get started!
Stick to the schedule: make sure that you are brushing your teeth twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed. Additionally, you want to floss your teeth in the evening before you brush. You can also talk to your dentist about adding a mouth rinse into your routine.
Use the right materials: did you know that toothbrushes actually come in different bristle strengths? Most patients will actually do well with a soft-bristled brush. Soft bristles allow patients to clean their smiles effectively, without risking enamel erosion or gum tissue damage. Talk to your dentist if you’re not sure what type of toothbrush is right for you. When it comes to picking a floss, you just want to make sure that you’re using a type of floss that allows you to move up and down the full length of your tooth.
Perfect your technique: not all brushing is created equal; you’ll clear more plaque from your smile by brushing thoughtfully. Move your toothbrush in small circular motions over the flat expanses of your teeth. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this can actually thin your enamel and cause your gums to recede. When you’re cleaning the top surfaces of your back molars, you can move your toothbrush back and forth, in order to clean plaque from the deep crevices in these teeth.
With a few simple modifications and improvements, you can minimize your risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and enamel damage down the road. Our Toluca Lake dentists are happy to give you additional information about at-home care, as well as the professional treatments that can strengthen your smile. Give us a call to get started with a personal consultation!