A healthy smile starts with great home care. While regular dental visits keep your teeth in top shape, what you do every day matters just as much. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing help prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. This guide will walk you through simple steps to keep your teeth and gums healthy, plus a few extra tips to improve your routine.
Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing at least twice a day, especially before bed, is one of the best things you can do for your smile. It helps remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria that can lead to cavities and gum disease. Using an ADA-approved soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste makes a big difference. But brushing the right way is just as important as brushing often.
How To Brush Properly
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums.
- Use small, circular motions to clean all tooth surfaces, including the front, back, and chewing areas.
- Use the tip of the brush to reach the inside of your front teeth.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
- Rinse your mouth with water to wash away any loosened plaque or food debris.
Electric Toothbrushes
- How it works: If you have an electric toothbrush, let it do the work for you.
- Usage: Simply hold the bristles against your teeth and gums, and move it slowly from tooth to tooth.
Flossing Daily
Brushing alone doesn’t clean between your teeth, which is why flossing is so important. It removes plaque and food particles from those hard-to-reach spots, helping to prevent cavities and gum disease. If flossing feels like a hassle, finding the right tool can make it easier.
How To Floss Correctly
- Take about 12 to 16 inches of floss and wrap most of it around your middle fingers, leaving a small section to use.
- Gently slide the floss between your teeth using a back-and-forth motion.
- Curve the floss into a C-shape around each tooth and move it up and down.
- Repeat the process for each tooth, using a clean section of floss each time.
- Rinse your mouth to remove any loosened plaque or debris.
Tip: If traditional floss is tricky, try floss holders, water flossers, or interdental brushes. The best flossing tool is the one you’ll actually use.
Rinsing & Additional Care
Rinsing helps remove leftover food and bacteria, whether after brushing or after meals when you can’t brush. Even a quick rinse with water can help minimize plaque buildup. If you use mouthwash, make sure it’s the right one for your needs. Some help kill bacteria, while others strengthen enamel or freshen breath. Your dentist can recommend the best option for you.
Other Helpful Tools
- Interdental brushes: Clean tight spaces between teeth.
- Rubber tip stimulators: Massage gums and help remove plaque.
- Tongue cleaners: Reduce bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
- Water flossers: Flush out food particles and plaque.
- Fluoride treatments: Strengthen enamel and prevent decay.
- Medicated rinses: Help with gum health and bacteria control.
Schedule Your Next Check-Up
Even with great home care, regular check-ups are key to keeping your smile healthy. Professional cleanings remove plaque you can’t reach, and your dentist can catch any issues early. Contact our office today to schedule your next appointment and keep your smile in top shape.
