Brushing and flossing are some of the simplest and most effective ways to take care of your teeth and oral health. In fact, since a young age, everyone has always told us to brush and floss. This continues into our adult years as we're constantly reminded that we should be taking care of our teeth.
A simple oral hygiene routine can be effective at preventing most dental problems. However, at the end of the day, you should be asking yourself a single question. Is your simple routine not effective enough? While brushing and flossing are essential to the overall health of your mouth and teeth, it may not be enough to completely prevent tooth decay. There are plenty of ways you can improve your home dental hygiene routine. Consider implementing some of these changes into your routine.
Learn How to Brush and Floss Correctly
You may not be aware that there is a correct way to brush and floss your teeth. Simply scrubbing your teeth in 30 seconds and picking between a couple of your incisors with a piece of floss won't be enough to prevent plaque buildup and cavities.
It may be surprising, but there is a right way to brush and floss. To brush correctly, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums rather than directly parallel to the surface of your teeth. This allows you to cover the tooth's whole surface area. Then brush with gentle strokes for at least two minutes. To floss correctly, use an 18-inch strip of floss and wrap it around your fingers, leaving about six inches in between. Gently insert the floss between your teeth and rub it back and forth.
Get the Right Tools
As with any improvement project, it's important to have the right set of tools. The same idea rings true for your oral hygiene. If you don't have the right tools at your disposal, you won't be able to take care of your teeth properly. Find a toothbrush that's comfortable for you to use and switch it out every three months. Use toothpaste that is most effective for your mouth. If you don't know how to choose the right dental tools, ask your dentist. He or she will be able to recommend the products that are most likely to work best for you.
Eat a Balanced Diet
While it's common knowledge that you should avoid overly sugary foods to avoid cavities, the idea goes much further. Eating a balanced and healthy diet encourages healthy teeth and a healthy body. In fact, your body and mouth work in tandem-if one is unhealthy, it's likely that the other will experience similar negative effects. Eating a balanced diet keeps your entire body healthy, including your mouth.
See Your Dentist Regularly
While you may not be able to see your dentist within your home, the process is still incredibly important for your home dental hygiene routine. For starters, seeing your dentist allows you to know if your brushing and flossing are working well. It also allows your dentist to find areas where you can improve.
The way you take care of your teeth today will have a direct impact on your oral health in the future. If you can improve your personal oral hygiene, you'll benefit in ways you may not realize.