Let’s say that you’re already brushing your teeth and flossing your smile as recommended by the American Dental Association—that’s great! Now what?
The truth is that there are a number of simple things that you can do in order to optimize your daily at-home oral hygiene routine. Our O’Fallon cosmetic dentists are here with some suggestions that can help you take your oral hygiene routine to the next level. Let’s get started!
The first thing to do is to take a moment to assess the dental tools you’re using. Does your toothbrush have the right kind of bristles? Medium and hard-bristled toothbrushes are actually too abrasive for many patients. Does your floss fit between all of your teeth? You don’t want to use a piece of floss that is too thick for your dental alignment, as this will actually decrease its usefulness. If you aren’t sure whether you’re using the right tools, talk to your dental team!
The next thing is to make sure that you’re completing your oral hygiene steps in an order that makes sense. In general, it makes the most sense to floss your smile first, in order to dislodge any dental debris or plaque. Then, brush your teeth to buff away oral bacteria. The final step of your at-home oral hygiene routine can be mouthwash—this helps to rinse away any bits of plaque and debris that may be hanging on, and to rinse your oral tissues.
Finally, consider adding some simple “smile refreshers” into your middle-of-the-day routine. Vigorously rinse your smile with water after lunch or eating a snack, for example. This quick habit dislodges food particles from your smile and prompts your body to release saliva (which naturally helps to neutralize bacteria and re-mineralize teeth).
Want to learn more about how to care for your smile day to day? Our O’Fallon dentists are here to help—give us a call!