Improve Your Dental Hygiene Routine With These Top Tips

One of the main causes of dental issues is a poor oral hygiene regime, which can result in tooth decay and gum disease.

Those hard-to-reach places in your mouth can harbour harmful bacteria if you’re brushing and flossing techniques are inadequate. Over time, this can lead to the onset of cavities.

Flossing is a critical element of good oral hygiene, which removes the tiny particles that become trapped between the teeth. If you are unsure of how to floss correctly, there are some great YouTube ‘how to’ videos that make it clear. The same goes with brushing. With that in mind, here are a few tips to make your oral hygiene routine that much better.

Choosing A Toothbrush

Ask any dentist on the North Shore or in your local area and they will happily confirm that a small head, soft-medium bristle toothbrush is the best for comprehensive brushing. It is very much a case of trial and error to find a toothbrush that works for you. Most people also have a travelling toothbrush and toothpaste kit, for brushing when out and about.

Fluoride Toothpaste

Always insist on toothpaste that contains fluoride as this is known to reduce tooth decay. Try to avoid products in powder form, as these can be very abrasive and damage the delicate tooth enamel. If you suffer from sensitive teeth, there are special brands of toothpaste that can offer some relief, which you should use.

Antiseptic Mouthwash

This is another essential item to pack when you are going away, and it should be used after snacks or drinking tea, coffee or any form of alcohol. How does one gargle mouthwash? Fill your mouth half-full with the solution and begin to swish it around your mouth, forcing the liquid through the gaps between the teeth; repeat this for 10-15 minutes before spitting the solution out and you can do this 3-4 times a day.

Flossing

There is a right and wrong way to floss. There’s even an informative YouTube video on how to floss properly, which should help you to master the technique. Without flossing, small bits of food would remain trapped between the teeth and that would likely lead to tooth decay.

Regular Oral Examinations

This is called preventative dentistry and when you have your teeth and gums checked every few months, any dental issues will be revealed and can be promptly treated before too much damage is done. While at the clinic for your check up, you can have your teeth deep-cleaned by the resident hygienist, which really does help.

Oral hygiene is critical for healthy teeth and gums and by using the above tips, you can ensure that your oral health is as it should be. If you have yet to visit your dentist this year, now is the perfect time to book a dental check-up and let the dentist examine your teeth and gums.

If you have children, it is crucial to instil the right oral hygiene practices as soon as possible, which will help your kids to get into the habit of brushing and flossing.