Dental care basics for oral health

How good are you at keeping a clean mouth? Even if you are a guru, searching for “dental hygienist near me” will keep you out of trouble. Contact our dental hygienist here.

The two most important activities for having good oral health is brushing and flossing, but they alone are not enough. Are you brushing with the right techniques? The following tips will help your oral health.

Brushing for improved oral health

The beginning of oral health is by keeping clean teeth. Keeping the teeth’ surface and the gaps in between clean will prevent cavities, and cleaning the part of the teeth that meets the gums avoid gum disease.

Try the following brushing tips:

• Brush twice daily: brushing should not just be one of those things you rush through during the day. It should be a deliberate attempt to maintain a healthy state. Dedicate two minutes for brushing and gently brush every part of the teeth and front. Brush immediately after an acidic meal like grapefruit and soda. Please do not leave your tongue out; scrape the surface with the brush or scrapper so that it can be free from the bacteria that happened there.
• Use the correct equipment: the best equipment for brushing is a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth with fluoride toothpaste. You can also go for electric toothbrushes which are better at reducing plaques and gingivitis than the manual ones. These brushes are specially designed to help people with arthritis achieve good dental hygiene since they may not find the dutiful brushing task easy.
• Use the right brushing techniques: place the bristle of your toothbrush at a slight angle so that they reach the point where the gums meet the teeth. Brush with a circular motion and let the toothbrush go back and forth. Brush the outer and inner sides of your teeth with the chewing surface for two minutes. Do not forget your tongue.
• Keep your brushing equipment clean: use water to rinse your toothbrush and store it in an upright position for it to air dry.

Do not store your toothbrush alongside others in the rack to prevent cross-contamination. Also, avoid storing your brush in containers that do not allow easy airflow as that will cause mould, yeast, and other bacteria to grow on them.

• Know when to change your toothbrush: target changing your toothbrush or the head of the battery or electric-operated one every three months. You can do this sooner if the bristle of the brush frays before the three months.

Flossing for improved oral hygiene

Your toothbrush will not reach the germs in between your teeth and the base which meets with your gums. This is why flossing is necessary. When you floss, remember this:

• Don’t skimp: the 46 centimetres dental floss will not help. Shorten it by winding up the third fingers of both hands, and floss with the rest.
• Take it easy: with a rumbling motion, use the dental floss to clean between the teeth. Make a C shape curve when you get to the base of your teeth and gum line.
• Dedicate time for each tooth: get the floss gently into each tooth and rub it up and down. Unwind fresh floss as you proceed.
• Do it continuously: if you have challenges flossing, use interdental flossers like the pre-threader flosser, water flosser, dental pick, tiny brushes that reach between the teeth, a silicone or wooden wedge plaque remover.

When you do a good job, it doesn’t matter whether you brush or floss first.

Other oral health tips

Mouthwashes will also help your oral health; use them at least once a day. Avoid using toothpicks and other items that can hurt your gums and introduce germs into your mouth. Quit smoking as it increases one’s risk of gum disease and tooth loss.

When to visit the dentist

Crown your efforts to better oral health by visiting a dentist for regular check-up and x-ray if necessary. You should also contact your dental clinic if you notice the following symptoms:

• Tender, red, or swollen gums
• Gum bleeding while brushing and flossing
• Gums pulling away from the teeth
• Your permanent tooth falls off
• Painful chewing
• Strange taste in the mouth or persistent bad breath
• Unusual sensitivity to hot or cold

Remember that early detection and treatment of problems help in preventing further damage to your mouth.

Contact us at Dental Hygienist London for your oral health.