Good oral hygiene means taking proper care of your mouth. It is essential to give your teeth and gums special care every day. If you do not, then plaque and tartar might affect their health. Plaque is formed when food particles mix with saliva and bacteria. The bacteria produce acids that irritate the gums and cause tooth decay. Plaque hardens into a substance called tartar which can irritate your gums and cause gum disease, which damages the gum tissue.

Here are some tips for maintaining good oral hygiene at home:

Brushing Your Teeth

You’ve just had a dental cleaning. Your hygienist removed all of the plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your teeth, and you’ve received new dental products. Now, you know how to brush and floss, but are you sure you’re doing it correctly? Most people aren’t, and that’s the reason they’re missing the hard-to-reach spots in their mouth.

Many people brush too vigorously, which wears down their teeth. They may even use the wrong technique. Here are some helpful tips and tricks for better brushing at home:

Make sure you’re holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gum line. This angle allows your toothbrush bristles to get between your teeth and into those hard-to-reach areas.
Brush gently with short strokes.
Brush for about two minutes, twice a day.
Make sure to brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth as well.
Floss daily, too.

Flossing

Flossing is an essential part of the oral hygiene routine. In order to floss correctly, you will need a flossing tool.

Let’s take a closer look at these steps.

Step 1: Remove approximately 18 inches of floss from the container. Wind the floss around your middle fingers. There should be about one inch of floss between your hands. This will prevent getting floss stuck on your fingers.

Step 2: Hold the floss firmly between your thumbs and forefingers, and then gently slide it between your teeth. You should glide the floss along both the front and back of your teeth. Do not move too quickly, as this may cause injury to your gum tissue.

Rinsing Your Mouth Out With a Mouthwash

Rinsing your mouth out with mouthwash helps kill bacteria in your mouth, which can be a major contributing factor to bad breath. Mouthwash also prevents buildup on your teeth, which can cause plaque. It is a useful tool for reminding yourself to brush and floss after consuming sticky, chewy, or sweet foods.

Using Fluoride Products

It is important to use fluoride products to maintain good oral hygiene. Fluoride helps to harden the enamel of your teeth, which can prevent cavities and decay. Fluoride treatments are available at the dentist’s office. However, it is also beneficial to use fluoride products at home.

Eating and Drinking

Eating and drinking are essential to our overall health. However, they also have a negative effect on our teeth and oral health.

Most people don’t realize that foods with high sugar content are bad for your teeth. These foods contribute to plaque buildup, tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

It’s best to choose foods that don’t contain too much sugar. When you do indulge in a few sugary foods, be sure to brush your teeth. It’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth with water before you go to bed.

At River Family Dentistry, we are committed to providing you with the most effective and high-quality treatments that are both affordable and convenient. We are located at 11230 Gold Express Dr, Unit 306, Gold River, CA 95670. Call us at 916.852.7660 to book your appointments.