Between professional dental care appointments, it is important to practice great brushing and flossing habits to protect your oral health. Your daily dental hygiene routine helps control the development of cavities and other potentially painful conditions.
To verify your dental hygiene routine is up to par, take a look at the following checklist and guidelines from your trusted Little Rock family dentist.
Properly Time Your Brushing Sessions
The optimal time to brush your teeth is at least an hour after eating, three times a day. With this approach, you remove food deposits on your teeth and gums to keep harmful bacteria from flourishing. You should also floss your teeth at least once per day to clean out the gum pockets and scrape plaque off the sides of your teeth.
Select the Right Dental Hygiene Supplies
The right toothbrush, toothpaste and floss products will help you thoroughly clean your teeth and gums to maintain great oral health. Although electric toothbrushes tend to produce the best results, you can get by with a soft bristle manual toothbrush if need be. For your flossing needs, standard floss often works best, but you can also use picks, holders or water irrigation systems. Simply choose the option that gives you the most control over your oral health.
Practice Brushing with Circular Motions
You must practice effective brushing habits to fully remove all plaque and food deposits from your teeth and gums. To best brush your teeth clean, align your toothbrush head at a 45-degree angle from your teeth and press down gently to make full contact. Move the brush in circular motions over every surface of your teeth. You can also use short back and forth brushstrokes to fully clean the grooves and crevices in your teeth.
Perfect Your Flossing Routine
The way you floss your teeth directly impacts its efficiency in removing plaque and other deposits. When using traditional floss, you need to firmly hold the string of floss taut between your fingers. Gently, but firmly, wrap the floss around your tooth and use an up and down motion to clean the enamel. Reach far down into the pockets of your gums to clean that space and reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
Finish with Mouthwash
To flush away all of the debris removed during your brushing and flossing session, swish mouthwash in your mouth at the end of your dental hygiene routine. For the best results, select a therapeutic mouthwash with fluoride, xylitol and other helpful ingredients. Swish for up to a minute to help the fluoride and other substances have a chance to positively impact the health of your teeth and gums.
Schedule a Visit for Dental Hygiene Services in Little Rock
When you need dental hygiene services Little Rock, you can come to us at Arkansas Family Dental for support. Your Little Rock family dentist will help you achieve your oral health goals with a combination of professional and at-home treatment. You can give us a call at (501) 683-8886 to schedule an appointment for help with your dental hygiene in Little Rock.
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