Use the Right Technique
Did you know that how you brush your teeth is just as important as how often? Using the right brushing technique can not only remove excess plaque buildup, but also protect your gums from injury.
Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle and brush in gentle circular motions being careful to be gentle around your delicate gum tissue. Brush for at least two minutes, twice every day.
Choose the Right Tools
Choosing the right toothbrush is important. Use a brush with soft bristles in order to avoid injuring your gum tissue. Many patients are switching to an electric toothbrush, which does all of the hard work of brushing for you with all the right techniques. It even times your brushing session to ensure you reach the recommended two minutes. An electric brush is a great investment in your home care routine.
Floss Daily Using Proper Techniques
Flossing your teeth daily is just as important as brushing because it removes bacteria and food particles from in between your teeth. Yes – you can actually get cavities in between your teeth!
You should floss once a day using at least 18 inches of floss wound around your fingers. Gently slide floss in between each tooth in a c-shape motion on each side of your teeth. Use a clean area of floss for each tooth.
Use an Antibacterial Mouth Rinse
Using a mouth rinse can give you added protection against tooth decay and cavities, and as bonus it also freshens your breath. Consult your dentists at Wynkoop Dental as to which rinse is best for your needs, as not all are created equal.
Clean Your Tongue
You may not realize that there’s a lot of bacteria that hides in your tongue and causes bad breath and other issues in your mouth. Brushing your tongue, or using a tongue scraper each day eliminates that bacteria, giving you a healthier mouth.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
At Wynkoop Dental, we recommend visits every six months for most of our patients. These visits are important for helping us to monitor your oral health and make you aware of any concerns early on such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. Early detection gives you an opportunity for less invasive and costly treatment.
Together with regular visits and an excellent home care routine, we can ensure that you achieve and maintain optimum oral health for lifetime!
