Getting your teeth cleaned at least every six months is a great way to help reduce the chances of developing dental problems. But if you aren’t taking care of your oral hygiene at home, you increase the risk of decay and disease.
Good dental hygiene in Flower Mound, TX, starts at home. But not everyone knows how best to keep their teeth and gums clean. That’s why we at Flower Mound Dental have developed this guide for at-home oral hygiene practices.
How to Keep Your Teeth Clean At Home
You’ve probably heard before that you need to brush and floss at least twice a day. But that’s not a very detailed piece of advice. To really make sure you keep your teeth and gums clean, you need to find an at-home hygiene routine that works for you. Because everyone’s mouth is different, some patients may see greater success from different tactics. When in doubt, always follow your dentist’s guidelines.
Brushing After Meals
If you do a quick internet search on brushing after meals, you’ll get a lot of conflicting answers. But the truth is that brushing after ‘most’ meals is a great way to prevent plaque buildup. However, there are some cases where you’ll want to wait before brushing.
Acidic foods and drinks can weaken the enamel layer on your teeth. If you brush right after consuming something acidic (like soda or an orange), you could actually damage your teeth. For meals with acidic foods and drinks, it’s actually best to wait about 30 minutes before brushing to give your enamel time to recover.
Choosing a Toothbrush
Having the right tools on hand is key to making sure you’re taking good care of your teeth. But with all the different brands and types of toothbrushes out there, it can be hard to know which is best for you. Generally, you’ll want a toothbrush that has soft bristles.
Most plaque and food particles don’t need to be scrubbed away; they can just be gently brushed off. If you use hard bristles or apply too much force while brushing, you could actually be hurting your teeth instead of cleaning them.
There’s also the choice between a manual or an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are great options for people who have difficulty brushing manually, but a manual toothbrush can also be effective in fighting plaque. If you’re not sure what kind of brush to use, ask your dentist. They can recommend a toothbrush that is best suited for your mouth.
Using Mouthwash
Using a mouthwash or rinse can help fight plaque left behind by brushing and flossing. However, it’s not meant to be a replacement. There are many different types of mouthwash available, and some are designed to fight specific problems. Your dentist may recommend a specific mouthwash to help with a variety of dental concerns.
At Flower Mound Dental, we want to help all of our patients prevent dental problems by practicing good at-home oral hygiene. If you have questions about dental hygiene in Flower Mound, TX, or need a professional cleaning, contact us today.