subject: This Summer, Understand How To Properly Care For Your Mouth [print this page] Taking care of your teeth means more than just getting regular checkups with your West Orange and Livingston dentist-your home care matters as well. Your dentist plays a vital role in helping to keep your mouth healthy. In order to maintain your oral health outside of the office, it is important to pay close attention to your everyday habits. You can combat plaque, fight bad breath, and prevent tooth decay and gum disease through the simple act of brushing and flossing at home. We all understand that we need to brush and floss our teeth daily, but are you using the right techniques?
Brush Twice a Day
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice a day in order to maintain a healthy smile. Make the most of each time you brush your teeth by refreshing yourself on the proper brushing technique. The proper brushing technique means you must thoroughly clean on the outer and inner surfaces by brushing at a 45-degree angle in short half-tooth-wide strokes against the gum line.
Next, be sure to brush chewing surfaces by holding your toothbrush flat and brush back and forth. On the inside surfaces of your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and use gentle up and down strokes with the toe of the brush. Lastly, be sure to brush your tongue in a back-to-front sweeping motion to remove food particles and freshen your mouth. Remember to spend at least 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth, adding up to two minutes each time you brush. It is also important to replace your toothbrush every three month. To remind yourself, try writing the date you should change your toothbrush in permanent marker on the handle.
Don't Forget to Floss Daily
As a child, you may not have learned how to floss, or at least not properly. Flossing is critical to healthy gums and it is never too late to begin flossing for a healthy mouth. A common rule of thumb with flossing is that it may take up to three weeks for it to become a habit. If you have questions, it is important to ask your dentist in Livingston for further instructions. It is recommended that you floss at least once a day, but more often if you get food trapped between your teeth. You can choose the best time for you to floss, but most people find it easier to floss just before bed. However, the best time is the one that is most convenient for you so that you always remember.
What are the Consequences of Poor Oral Hygiene?
Poor oral hygiene invites plaque to accumulate around the base of your teeth and gum line, which can cause your gums to become red and inflamed. Plaque is the bacteria laden film that, if allowed to accumulate on teeth and gums, will cause tooth decay and gum disease. If you neglect the care of your teeth at home and fail to go to the dentist regularly, accumulated plaque could potentially lead to the development of empty spaces around your teeth. These spaces can then lead to the destruction of bone and other fragile tissues supporting your teeth, with the end result of tooth loss. The good new is that if you are diligent about your dental health care, then you can further prevent plaque from forming and even reverse the early stages of gum disease.
With increased at home care, in addition to in-office dental treatments, you can further improve the health of your teeth and gums. Talk to your Livingston and West Orange dentist for more information on how to properly care for your teeth at home.
