When laying the groundwork for a lifetime of good dental care, there’s nothing more important than a foundation of proper oral hygiene practices. While brushing our teeth may seem like something everyone does, many individuals aren’t doing it often enough or correctly. Improper dental hygiene can leave vulnerabilities that can invite tooth decay and gingivitis to take hold. This is why it’s essential that everyone understand the right way to manage their dental hygiene routine. Our dedicated team at Desert Pearl Dentistry has developed this guide to help you learn more about routine dental care for our patient’s oral health.
A Complete Guide To Routine Dental Care
We all know brushing teeth is essential to lasting oral health and fresh breath. However, there is a right and a wrong way to brush our teeth. While improper brushing is rarely directly dangerous to our oral health, it does leave us vulnerable to tooth decay and gingivitis. Which toothbrush you use, the contents of your toothpaste, spending enough time brushing, and the angle at which your toothbrush all impact your results. To make sure you’re getting the most out of brushing your teeth, follow these tips:
- Brush twice daily, once you get up and once before you go to sleep.
- Ensure your brush is held at a 45-degree angle so the bristles can sweep under the gumline.
- Be certain that you brush every exposed surface of your teeth, including the sides and biting surfaces.
Once you’ve finished brushing, it’s time to get between your teeth with dental floss. This step in the process is important to ensure you keep hidden plaque and tartar from causing tooth decay. Your toothbrush can’t get into these narrow spaces between your teeth, but plaque and tartar have no trouble at all. This is even more important if you have teeth that are misaligned, as there is a greater risk of decay happening between your teeth. It doesn’t matter whether you use the standard floss style or the special tools that hold the floss for you. The environmentally conscious can use mulberry silk floss and a reusable flossing tool. When flossing, be sure to follow these steps:
- Curve the floss against the curve of your teeth to make sure every surface is cleared of plaque and tartar.
- Take care to brush gently but firmly. It shouldn’t be painful to brush your teeth.
- Floss each space between your teeth thoroughly, making sure not to miss any of them.
Discover Great Dental Care From Desert Pearl Dentistry
Dr. Brian Black is dedicated to our patient’s oral health at our Rancho Mirage, CA, office location. Part of this dedication comes in the form of patient education. We want our patients to know how to properly care for their smiles between visits to ensure they only see us for a routine cleaning and check-up. You can schedule your next visit by contacting us at (760) 568-0130. Our team of friendly staff members will schedule you for your next dental care exam at a time convenient for you!
