This October, the professional McAllen and La Feria family dentists at WhiteWing Dental want to highlight the significance of maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine in honor of National Dental Hygiene Month.
Children should begin good oral hygiene practices early on in life to prevent cavities, aid proper growth of permanent teeth, and avoid maintenance dental work. Adults should also incorporate these practices to ensure their teeth stay strong and healthy throughout adulthood.
You can optimize your dental health by incorporating the following four essential practices:
- Brush Twice a Day
- Floss Daily
- Rinse to Eliminate Bacterias
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum
The most essential component of your daily oral hygiene routine is brushing your teeth twice a day and after meals when possible. You should always brush your teeth in gentle, circular motions, using a quality soft-bristled toothbrush.
The trick to brushing teeth properly is horizontal tooth-wide motions, and vertically behind the front teeth to eliminate plaque and bacteria in all areas. Remember to reach both outer and inner surfaces for that really deep clean.
It is also very necessary to brush or scrub your tongue to eliminate bad breath that is caused by bacteria that accumulates on the tongue. A quality fluoride toothpaste is the best way to go.
It’s not enough to just clean the surface of the teeth. It is vital that you also remove excess food particles that may get lodged between teeth and combine with bacteria to cause inflammation or even bleeding gums.
Flossing daily allows you to reach 35 percent of the tooth that can often be missed with brushing alone. Cleaning in between your teeth will eliminate bacteria causing gingivitis.
Make sure to floss at least once a day and after meals when possible. You can use a waxed floss that sometimes even comes in mint flavors to freshen up your breath.
Brushing and flossing can help eliminate bacteria on the surface of the teeth and the tongue, but how will you reach all other surfaces of the mouth such as the gums and cheeks? Rinsing with a mouthwash that has an ADA seal of acceptance will help do the job.
Rinsing is an essential element of maintaining healthy gums and teeth. It allows you to remove biofilm and bacterias that couldn’t be reached by brushing and flossing alone. A quality mouthwash also helps you to maintain fresh breath.
In addition to rinsing, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated and to aid with rinsing out any food particles from any snacks you might have enjoyed.
Did you know that chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help protect you from tooth decay and oral disease? Sugar-free gum is beneficial to your oral health as it helps to produce saliva that cleans the mouth.
Saliva also helps to neutralize the acidity of bacterias that can cause cavities and other oral problems. When you don’t have time to brush and floss throughout the day, a piece of sugar-free gum has got you covered.
Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month by visiting WhiteWing Dental in La Feria or McAllen.
Keeping up with a daily oral hygiene routine that incorporates all of the practices above will allow you to live a happier healthier lifestyle, free from worries concerning oral health issues.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding any aspect of your dental health or hygiene practice, contact the McAllen family dentists at WhiteWing Dental to achieve a life-long bright and healthy smile.