You know you need to brush your Teeth twice daily to help keep them healthy, but is that enough? Are there other things you should do? Perhaps use mouthwash, and do you need to floss?
Read on to learn what you can do to protect your oral health.
Brushing Twice Daily is the First Essential Step
Brushing is important to remove plaque, a sticky film that builds up over teeth, combining saliva and leftover food particles, and harmful bacteria. It turns into tartar or calculus in just a few days unless regularly removed.
The bacteria in plaque and tartar produce acid that weakens tooth enamel and eventually causes cavities. They also produce toxins that inflame the gums, resulting in gum or periodontal disease in Oshawa.
Tartar cannot be removed by brushing and is the substance that is scraped or scaled off during your regular hygiene appointments at Margolian Dentistry. By ensuring you brush your teeth twice daily, you can help prevent plaque buildup, but one mistake is that people often don’t brush for long enough.
You need to spend at least two minutes each time brushing each tooth surface properly. Handily, if you have an electric toothbrush it will time you. Otherwise, use the timer on your smartphone or keep a timer in the bathroom to ensure you brush for long enough. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and good-quality fluoride toothpaste to clean teeth thoroughly.
What about Flossing?
Daily flossing is immensely important, reaching the areas between each tooth that your toothbrush cannot reach. While ideally, it’s nice to floss last thing at night so you go to bed with a cleaner mouth, do it first thing if it fits in better with your morning routine.
Some people have trouble flossing because their teeth are too tightly packed, or struggle to floss around their back teeth. Sometimes, people with a strong gag reflex find it uncomfortable. If this sounds familiar, ask us for help.
Learn How to Floss from the Experts
Our dental hygienist in Whitby can show you how to floss correctly. We can also discuss other tools to try. Some people find interdental brushes or floss pics helpful. Others prefer a water pik, an electric device that squirts water between each tooth to remove plaque and food debris.
Other Tips for Better Dental Health
- Use Mouthwash
If you would like to use mouthwash, choose a brand that is antibacterial or contains fluoride and use it as directed. Ensure it is kept out of reach of children.
- Avoid Sugary Snacks
Sugars that stay trapped around your teeth are soon converted into acid by plaque bacteria, increasing the risk of acid erosion. Snacking on these foods between meals increases the acidity in your mouth for at least half an hour afterward. The more often your teeth are exposed to acid, the greater the risk of acid erosion. If you want something sweet, have it as part of a main meal.
- Drink Water
Water helps to keep you hydrated so you can produce plenty of saliva. It also helps to wash away loose food particles. Get into the habit of sipping on water after eating and swishing it around your mouth to help keep your teeth cleaner between brushing.
- See Your Dentist Regularly
Generally, we like seeing people twice yearly for dental checkups, especially hygiene appointments in Ajax. Regularly removing plaque and tartar buildup is an easy way to keep your teeth and gums in good shape.
The post Is Brushing Twice a Day Enough? What Else Can You Do? appeared first on Margolian Dentistry Family Cosmetic Implant Dentistry.
