Your daily oral hygiene routine is the first line of defense against dental debris, bacteria, and damage. Tweaking even just a few things in your routine can help you achieve better results. Keep reading to learn more from our Orland Park dentists…
Pick The Perfect Brush
The basis of any at-home oral hygiene routine is brushing both morning and night. However, using the correct brush is necessary for success. Talk to your dental team about what type of brush bristle is appropriate for your teeth. Most patients will do well with a soft-bristled brush, which is strong enough to clean thoroughly without being too harsh or abrasive.
Floss Thoroughly
When picking a floss, take the time to choose a floss thickness that fits between your teeth, even your back molars. As you floss your smile, wiggle the length of floss from side to side, in order to dislodge as much plaque and dental debris as possible.
Refresh During The Day
Because bacterial plaque is constantly building up in your mouth, you need to be just a diligent combating it. One easy way to do this is to rinse your mouth with water or a formulated rinse multiple times during the day. If you do happen to get food particles stuck in your smile, remove them with floss rather than sharp toothpicks.
Schedule Smartly
There are certain times at which your teeth are softer, and thus more vulnerable, than usual. For example, right after you have consumed something acidic, your enamel will be temporarily de-mineralized. That is why it’s so important to wait 20 to 30 minutes after you finish eating or drinking to brush your smile. The last thing we want to do is to mistakenly harm our teeth when we are trying to care for them!
If you have additional questions, or you’d like to schedule an appointment with our Orland Park dentists, please contact our office by phone or through the Contact Us page on our site. We look forward to speaking with you!