All About Dental Hygiene

Brush twice daily. Brushing teeth should never be a rushed task; take at least two minutes to give your teeth and gums a thorough clean. Do not brush immediately after eating, especially for acidic foods. And don’t forget to brush your tongue with a scraper or toothbrush.

Use the right tools. Toothpaste that contains fluoride offer the best protection for your teeth throughout the day. A comfortable soft-bristled toothbrush works well. Consider using an electric toothbrush for a more significant reduction of plaque and gum disease (gingivitis).

Practice your technique while brushing for two minutes. Start from the outside of the teeth, and move to the inner side, the chewing surface, and the tongue. While holding the toothbrush, tilt the soft bristles towards the gum line and brush with short circular motions while simultaneously rotating the tilt angle away from the gum line; perform this technique across all your teeth.

When done, rinse your toothbrush with water and store it upright to air dry until next time.

Flossing cleans those hard to reach places that a toothbrush can’t quite go. Take about 46 centimeters (18 in.) of dental floss and wrap it around both middle fingers. Use the index fingers and thumbs to grip the floss tight.

Gently glide the floss between teeth and into the gumline without snapping it into the gums. When in position, use the floss to hug around a tooth and make a c shape. Use the floss to gently rub between the gum and tooth while keeping an up and down motion.

Slide your fingers towards a new line of floss as you progress from one tooth to the next, one at a time.

Avoid using objects that may harm your teeth or gums, like toothpicks. If you have a habit of smoking, try to quit. Tobacco increases the risk for many serious dental issues such as gum disease and tooth loss.

Perfect oral health is a combination of practicing good oral hygiene and paying regular visits to the dentist for scheduled cleanings and exams. When coupled together, you will confidently prevent gum disease and other oral health problems from forming.

Meanwhile, contact your dentist if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
• gums that are red and swollen
• teeth becoming sensitive to hot or cold
• persistent bad breath or unusual taste in the mouth
• Pain while chewing
• loose permanent tooth
• gums that begin to separate from teeth