Home oral hygiene is always important if you want to have healthy teeth and gums. Since current conditions may lead you to delay your next visit to our office for routine dental care, it’s more important than ever.
No matter what shape your mouth is in when you next see us, we’re happy to do what it takes to get your smile looking and feeling good. However, following our oral hygiene tips will help you retain your good dental health.
Make Sure You Brush Before Bed
Brush at least two times a day. Make at least one of them before you turn in for the night. Doing so gets rid of the bacteria and plaque that has accumulated throughout the day. If you don’t remove it before bedtime, it can wreak havoc on your teeth. That’s because you typically produce less saliva, a natural cavity fighter, while you sleep.
Take Your Time While Brushing
We recommend brushing for two full minutes every time you brush. That gives you enough time to thoroughly clean every part of your mouth. Some electric toothbrushes have a timer feature. Or you can use the timer on your phone. For a more enjoyable experience, find a two-minute song you like and brush to that.
Clean Your Tongue Too
Your teeth aren’t the only place that bacteria accumulates in your mouth. Plaque and bacteria also collect on your tongue. In addition to being bad for your oral health, it’s a major cause of bad breath. Use a tongue scraper to remove it, or just brush your tongue while brushing your teeth.
Drink Plenty of Water
Staying well hydrated is good for your whole body – but especially your mouth. Saliva helps rinse away food debris and bacteria that can lead to cavities and gum disease. We suggest drinking water with every meal or after every meal. It’s an especially good idea if you’ve consumed acidic food or drink. Acids weaken your tooth enamel, leaving it more susceptible to problems.
Don’t Treat Your Teeth Like Tools
Another aspect of home oral hygiene is avoiding damaging behavior. We know it can be tempting to rip open packaging with teeth, but don’t do it. You risk damaging your enamel. Crunching on ice or other hard substances – including your fingernails – is bad for your teeth too, so that’s another habit you should avoid.
Follow good home oral hygiene practices to keep your teeth in great shape until you can see us. Call 1st in Smiles today at 972-905-9266 to schedule your next appointment in Plano, TX.
