Everyone knows that visiting a dentist in Wainwright at least twice a year for a professional dental cleaning and checkup is important. But not many of us know exactly what to do to maintain our oral health in the interim. In this blog post, our team at Wainwright Family Dental provides our readers with tips on how to keep their teeth in the best shape possible until it is time for their next dental visit.
Brush for at Least Two Minutes, Twice a Day
Many people do a quick swipe of their toothbrush over their teeth twice a day, but most people do not brush their teeth for long enough to adequately remove food debris and plaque. To rid your mouth of harmful bacteria, you need to brush your teeth for at least two minutes each time. If you aren’t sure how long that is, set a timer, or play a two-minute-long song during your brushing sessions.
Floss Before Bed
In a perfect world, everyone would have the ability to floss their teeth after every meal, but our dentist near you says that flossing before you sleep is typically enough to keep plaque from building up between your teeth. If you neglect to floss before bed, the bacteria present in plaque can feast on your teeth and gums at night, resulting in gum disease, tooth decay, and bad-smelling breath. A good tip to remember to floss at night is to set your floss on your pillow when you wake up each morning, so when you head to bed, you will be reminded to follow through with your flossing routine.
Don’t Forget to Brush Your Tongue
Even if you brush and floss your teeth, bacteria can linger on your tongue and end up right back on your teeth and gums. After you finish brushing, use either a tongue scraper or your toothbrush to clean your tongue from back to front. This can both prevent infections and freshen your breath.
Rinse with Mouthwash
Mouthwash can clean areas of your mouth that can’t be reached with your floss and toothbrush, such as much of your soft tissue. When selecting a mouthwash, ensure that you pick one that contains fluoride since it strengthens your enamel and fights cavities. Also, make sure to pick an alcohol-free mouthwash since alcohol products can cause dry mouth and lead to a whole load of oral health issues.
Following all of these tips is an excellent way to maintain your oral health until it is time for your next dental cleanings in Wainwright. When you do attend dental checkups near you, take advantage of the visit and ask your dentist for their tips on maintaining oral health at home.
Visit Wainwright Family Dental
If it has been more than six months since your last dental cleaning and checkup, it is a good idea to contact our team of dedicated dental professionals at Wainwright Family Dental for a hygiene appointment. Additionally, if you have any further questions or concerns about how to maintain your dental health at home, we are happy to offer you guidance. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today! We can’t wait to help you achieve a radiant, healthy smile.