Habit-Building Tips For Good Dental Hygiene

In between trips to the dentist, you are in charge of helping your smile to stay clean and healthy. To maintain your dazzling smile, it is important that you observe good oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing regularly. Good oral health means more than just a brilliant smile, though. Your oral care can also prevent future medical problems, including infections, bone loss, heart disease, strokes, and more. Here are some tips to help you develop life-long oral care habits.

1. Learn Proper Brushing Techniques

While many of us have been brushing our own teeth for decades, there are still many people who don’t know how to effectively and properly brush their teeth. Proper brushing should be gentle to avoid damage to your gums. While brushing, hold the brush at a 45 degree angle, ensuring that both your gum line and tooth surfaces are being brushed. Use a back-and-forth and an up-and-down motion for a full clean. Be sure to pay attention to all surfaces of your teeth, including the insides of your teeth and the back molars to ensure your whole mouth is clean. Don’t forget to brush your tongue as well. Brushing should occur at least twice a day.

2. Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly

You should be using a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent injury to your mouth, but it is also important to replace your tooth brush regularly. Your toothbrush will wear out over time and can cause injuries to your tender gums. Replace your brush every 2 to 3 months.

3. Use Floss Daily

We know, it can be a challenge to remember to use floss after brushing, and you may feel that you don’t have the time in your routine. Flossing, however, can remove food particles and plaque buildup that your tooth brush can’t reach. Try to floss at least once a day to completely clean your teeth.

4. Never Go to Bed Without Brushing

As you eat and drink during the day, the surfaces of your mouth accumulate food debris, sugar, and tough tea and coffee stains. If you go to bed without brushing your teeth, you allow these stains and foods to sit on your teeth overnight. Bacteria can flourish and cause tooth damage, or even other health complications. No matter how much you’re longing to crawl into bed, take 2 minutes to brush your teeth. Your smile will thank you in the morning.

5. See a Dentist Regularly

Adding one more appointment to your busy schedule can be frustrating, but seeing your dentist regularly can lead to better health. Your dentist can help you stay on top of your oral hygiene, and can catch potential problems early.

At Austell Dental Associates, our team is ready to help you maintain your beautiful smile. Our knowledgeable Austell dentists and hygienists can help you learn techniques to keep your mouth healthy. For more than 50 years, we have offered a number of services to help our patients enjoy top-quality dental care.

Schedule an appointment with our dentists today! Contact our team online, or call (770) 467-3888.