6 of the Best Daily Oral Hygiene Practices

Practicing good oral hygiene has its perks. It will save you lots of money, time and discomfort down the road. Good oral hygiene will also leave you with a smile that you are proud of. Also, taking proper care of your mouth will also leave you with fresh-smelling breath. Here are six steps that everyone needs in their daily oral health routine.

Six steps for daily oral hygiene

1. Brush before going to bed

While dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day, it is necessary to brush at certain times of the day. Without a doubt, the most important time to brush the teeth is right before going to bed.

Brushing the teeth before bed removes the plaque and bacteria on the teeth from throughout the day. This bacteria and plaque can wreak havoc on a person's mouth while he/she sleeps since saliva production is weaker during sleep. Saliva serves as a natural cleaner for the mouth, so it is best to give it a good cleaning right before going to bed.

2. Brush teeth and gums properly

Going through the motions when brushing teeth is not enough. People might as well not brush their teeth if they do not use proper brushing techniques. It is important to move the toothbrush in sold gentle circles and run the brush over all the teeth. That includes both sides and the biting surface of each tooth. Afterward, people can use the toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clean the tongue.

3. Use a fluoride-infused toothpaste and mouthwash

Search the label of any oral hygiene products that an individual decides to go with and make sure it contains fluoride. Fluoride is the best defense a person can use to keep tooth decay at bay. It strengthens teeth enamel, and it also forms a protective barrier over teeth.

4. Floss daily

Brushing regularly without flossing is not enough to keep teeth free of decay. Flossing helps to stimulate gums while also removing plaque and food particles from the spaces between teeth. If people notice tooth decay forming in the spaces between teeth, that is a sign they are not flossing properly.

5. Use an antibacterial mouthwash

A quality mouthwash should be part of a daily oral health routine. A good mouthwash will neutralize any acids in the mouth, re-mineralize the teeth and clean the tight spaces in the mouth. An antibacterial mouthwash will also help to reduce the number of bacteria in a person's mouth. A quality mouthwash will also help to freshen breath.

6. Drink lots of water

Drinking water is not just good for oral health, it is also good for people's overall health. As a general rule, drink water after every meal. This will help neutralize any acids in the mouth and wash away any leftover food particles. Water can also be a good source of fluoride since it is common for public water supplies to be fluoridated nowadays.

Combine these 6 things with regular visits to your dentist's office to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Contact one of our dentists to learn more about taking proper care of your mouth.

Request an appointment in our Forest Hills dentist office here: https://metrosmiles.com.

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