As the demand for braces and Invisalign is increasing across the US, it is a clear sign of people’s reluctance to maintain good oral habits that ensure good oral health. A sizeable section of the adult population is not following the basic practices of oral hygiene. Everyone knows that good oral health means regular brushing and flossing. But to have that bright and confident smile, you must do something more. Know the correct ways of brushing and flossing that make a massive difference in the outcome. Do what others are doing, but do it differently by following the best practices.
Never let the guards down when taking care of your oral health, which impacts your overall health. Those who are negligent in following the daily routine of brushing twice a day and flossing would soon find themselves in a situation when they must seek urgent dental Des Moines services to tackle some emergency. Since the need for oral healthcare is the same for adults and children, take your child for regular dental checkups at least twice a year that begins even before the child’s first birthday. Take your child to the best pediatric dentist by searching for children’s dental near me.
Maintain healthy habits
Never make the mistake of taking your teeth for granted because any negligence in their upkeep can lead to bigger dental problems. To ensure that you always have a healthy mouth, develop healthy habits by learning the right ways of brushing and flossing. It will help to retain your beautiful smile that lights up your life for many years.
Brush your teeth once in the morning after getting out of bed and at night before hitting the bed. Use the right kind of toothbrush recommended by the dentist and follow the proper technique of brushing so that the bristles reach the farthest corners of your mouth and cleanse the oral cavity thoroughly. Floss once a day, preferably at night soon after brushing. Use mouthwashes with low acidity and avoid all tobacco products. Avoid drinking stain-causing and acidic beverages and go for regular dental checkups, even if you do not have any problems because there might be major problems like oral cancer that will really make you uncomfortable once left untreated or ignored, according to a Gilbert, Arizona TMJ dentist.
Brush correctly
Regular brushing will prevent plaque, tartar, gum disease, stains, and tooth decay. Follow the correct brushing techniques and continue for at least 2 minutes each time. Brush thoroughly instead of just rubbing your teeth. If you are using an electric toothbrush, allow the bristles to rest upon each tooth for at least 6 seconds.
When brushing manually, move the toothbrush in a circular motion covering each tooth. You must angle down the brush to clean the gums along with the teeth. Do not apply too much force when brushing as it can erode the gums and teeth, which you must avoid.
Ensure that the bristles move across each tooth in all directions to cover the front, back, top, and bottom, and the bracket of the braces, if you have it. Besides the teeth, use the brush to reach the gums, tongue, and even the mouth’s roof.
Floss daily without a miss
Do not fail to floss your teeth at least once daily and avoid being among the 20 percent of Americans who do not floss at all and another 75 percent that do it occasionally. The figures are alarming because it shows the poor state of oral hygiene standards in America as people could not care less. That is perhaps the reason for 25% of adults between the ages 35 and 59 years suffering from untreated tooth decay. Remember that the cost of fixing the problem can burn holes in your pocket.
Flossing does not add to the dental aesthetics, but it keeps your mouth clean and free from bacteria. The habit pays back well because, in the long run, you will have almost all of your teeth intact. Flossing cleans the food particles that get stuck in the gaps between teeth. If the food particles cling to the teeth for a long time, it generates bacteria, which develop into the plaque by mixing with saliva. Eventually, the plaque turns into tartar that inflames the gum and corrodes teeth that may crack, chip or break.
Be careful in using mouthwash
How effective mouthwashes are in fighting bacteria and keeping your mouth clean is a debatable topic. While some say it kills bacteria, others believe it eliminates good bacteria and does more harm than good. Leaving aside the debate, let us accept that mouthwashes are useful depending on the state of the oral health of users. Those who suffer from a particular type of periodontal disease can benefit from using some mouthwash with antibacterial qualities that keep things under control. It has the same benefits for people who have a mouthful of bacteria.
Just ensure that the mouthwash has low acid and is free from alcohol. Rinse your mouth not more than twice a day.
