Practicing an effective oral hygiene routine each day is a very important first step in preventing cavities and other oral health problems. This starts with thoroughly brushing your teeth twice each day and flossing all the pertinent areas of your mouth each evening.
It should take roughly two to three minutes to fully brush both sets of your teeth. Make sure to brush each tooth in small circles with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. This will help clean the faces of the teeth. The added fluoride will also help to strengthen your tooth enamel to resist tooth decay.
When shopping for a brand of toothpaste you should always look for one that has been approved by the American Dental Association.
It’s often best to floss in the evening after you are done eating or snacking for the day. Make sure to thoroughly clean between each of your teeth as well as the gumline. Don’t forget to floss behind each of your rear molars.
Once you are done brushing and flossing you might also want to brush your tongue to help reduce the bacterial plaque in your mouth.
Vigorously rinsing your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash can also be beneficial. This can help loosened food particles from your mouth and kill any lingering bacteria.
If you live in the Colonial Heights, Virginia, area and you have an oral health concern please call 804-526-0231 to schedule a dental checkup with Dr. Tom G. Schleicher and the oral care specialists at Thomas G. Schleicher, DDS PLC.