After ringing in the new year, you might have resolutions in mind to improve your overall well-being. If you want to boost your wellness, you should prioritize your oral hygiene and resolve to perfect your brushing and flossing habits.
Oral hygiene is an important practice that involves cleaning your teeth regularly in order to keep your smile looking and feeling its best. If you do not brush or floss properly, you risk leaving harmful residues on your teeth that could put you in danger of cavities, gum disease, and more oral health problems.
Practicing good oral hygiene will reduce your risk of dental emergencies while also keeping your smile beautiful and fresh. A gorgeous smile can enhance your self-esteem and your overall confidence. So read on to find three tips that can help you give your oral hygiene a boost this year.
Review Your Oral Hygiene Tools
You will want to use the best tools to get your smile as clean as possible as you practice oral hygiene. So make sure you choose a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss brand carefully. Look for an ADA seal on the label to ensure the products work as advertised.
Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles rather than hard ones. This ensures that you clean your teeth without irritating your gums or tooth enamel. You might also benefit from an electric toothbrush, which can improve scrubbing capabilities for a more thorough cleaning.
Traditional string floss will clean between your teeth well. But you might want to consider alternative flossing options such as a water flosser. This device generates a stream of water that you can aim between the teeth and more easily navigate around oral appliances.
Stick to a Consistent Oral Hygiene Routine
In order to maximize benefits and oral cleanliness, you should stick to a consistent schedule with your oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice each day, morning and evening. Morning brushing removes excess bacteria that spread as you sleep, and brushing at night will get rid of food particles and other residues that can collect throughout your day.
You should also floss daily to reach between the teeth which a toothbrush cannot access. Do not skip any parts of this regimen because it can lead to irreversible damage to your smile.
Schedule Your Dental Cleaning
Proper at-home oral hygiene is crucial to keeping your smile healthy. However, you will also require professional teeth cleanings from your dentist to maintain your oral health.
Brushing and flossing your teeth will not get rid of tartar in tricky spots in your mouth, like near the gumline. But your dentist can scrape away excess tartar and plaque to prevent the build-up from harming your smile.
The average dental patient will need to attend these cleaning appointments twice a year. But some underlying factors could mean you need to schedule them more frequently. Call your dentist today to find the best preventive dental care for your unique smile.