Far too many of us tend to neglect or ignore our own oral health. The main reason is often because we are far too busy to take the necessary time needed to complete a thorough dental hygiene routine every day. As with most things, developing and encouraging a good oral hygiene routine should start early in childhood with parents teaching their kids the importance of proper brushing.
Maintaining a good dental brushing and cleaning routine need not be expensive or too time-consuming. It is not something that is too difficult to achieve either, and maintaining a good routine can be so worthwhile for the future health and well-being of you and your children.
Keeping on top of a daily oral health routine can often prevent many dental issues further down the line. Proper brushing can help to prevent tooth decay and can slow or prevent plaque build-up on teeth that can lead to receding gums and gingivitis.
There are four basic steps to forming your own dental hygiene routine. Simply follow these steps every day and encourage your children to do the same and you will see the benefits.
Careful Brushing
Thoroughly brushing your teeth every day is a very important step towards preventing such issues as tooth decay, plaque build-up and gum disease. A proper brushing routine can remove the bacteria that is a leading cause of gum disease and tooth decay. However, you must make sure that you take the time to thoroughly brush every single tooth. Missing any teeth or failing to reach all of the tooth surface can lead to problems.
When you brush your teeth, make sure you use a soft tooth brush with a small head. It is up to you whether you choose to use and electric or manual toothbrush, but having a toothbrush with a small head will allow you to reach behind and clean teeth where a larger toothbrush may not easily reach.
Try to angle your toothbrush to a 45 degree angle at the point along the gum line where your gums and teeth meet. Brush gently in a circular massaging motion to cover the whole surface of your teeth and gum line. Try not to scrub too hard – harsh brushing can lead to gums becoming sore and could result in your gums receding, something that can happen after years of brushing too hard.
A thorough cleaning should take you approximately two minutes to complete. Take a note of the time it takes you to brush your teeth. If you are falling short of this time, don’t rush the process. Take more time to reach into tight areas that are difficult to clean. Replace your toothbrush every three months.
Interdental Flossing
Flossing between your teeth helps to remove plaque and bacteria that is not easily reached by your toothbrush. More than one third of your tooth surfaces are hidden between your teeth, so it is important not to neglect these areas where a toothbrush cannot reach. Floss once per day using dental floss or tape.
Avoid Sugar
We all know that sugar is bad for your health and is linked to all sorts of diseases such as diabetes, obesity and metabolic disease. Cutting sugary food and drink from your diet is a sensible move not only for your general health but also for your oral health too! Should you consume any sugary food or drink, remember to brush your teeth afterwards to prevent bacteria from feeding on the sugar in your mouth.
Limit Acidic Food and Drink
Be careful when consuming acidic food and drink. The acids they contain can strip tooth enamel of it’s mineral content. Exposure to too much acid food over a long time can damage tooth enamel leaving the more sensitive tooth interior open to attach from bacteria that causes tooth decay and cavities.
And don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly – at least every 6 months for a check-up!
