The Importance of At-Home Dental Care

If your smile is important to you, taking care of it must be one of your highest priorities. Besides going to your dentist, taking care of your teeth at home is the foundation for fighting oral diseases and keeping your pearly whites, well, pearly white! Today, we’re discussing all things at-home dental hygiene, so continue reading to learn more.

Practicing good oral hygiene at home can lead to a healthy smile that combats oral diseases, like gum disease, bad breath, cavities, and other reasonably common dental problems. According to the American Dental Association, these are the things you should regularly be doing at home to take care of your teeth:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Clean between your teeth (flossing) at least once a day
• Patients at risk of gum disease should use a mouth rinse

By getting into the routine of doing the above things, you’ll preserve your teeth for years to come and avoid common oral health problems.

While you’ll never be able to honestly tell if your teeth and gums are healthy without confirmation from your dentist, there are indications that you’re doing well with your at-home dental care, such as:

• Your gums are pink rather than red and inflamed.
• Your gums don’t bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
• Your teeth don’t have a fuzzy feeling.
• You’re not struggling with bad breath.
• You’re not experiencing tooth sensitivity.

Beyond brushing, flossing, and rinsing, there are other things you can do to make your dental hygiene even better. Here are a few things you can add to your routine:

• Proper brushing technique – Your mouth has four quadrants (left upper, left lower, right upper, right lower); spend an equal amount of time (30 seconds) in each quadrant. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle pointed towards the gums, and brush all surfaces of the teeth.
• Proper flossing technique – Gently guide the floss between your teeth using a rubbing motion. Once the floss reaches the gum, curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and rub the floss up and down, cleaning the side of one tooth. Repeat on the tooth on the other side of the space and for the rest of your teeth. Also, don’t neglect the back of your last tooth. Choose another interdental cleaning tool if you have trouble flossing.
• Use a soft-bristled brush – Toothbrushes with stiff bristles can be abrasive and irritate your gums. Opt for a softer toothbrush, and make sure to change it out every three months.
• Avoid sugar – Sugary foods and drinks can harm your teeth, causing harmful bacteria and acidity that can lead to tooth decay when consumed too often. Enjoy sugar in moderation.
• Fluoridated water – Water with trace amounts of fluoride is healthy for the teeth and perfectly healthy to drink.
• Power toothbrush – Electric brushes aren’t necessary for everyone to use, but if you feel like you need more help removing plaque, this could be more beneficial than a manual toothbrush.

At-home dental care is a great way to keep your smile in good shape, but you also need a dentist you can trust to check your teeth every six months. At Oak Hills Dentistry, we have an exceptional dental team ready to help you and your family take care of your teeth. Whether you’re looking for a family dentist or a cosmetic dentist, we’re sure to help you love your smile. We are located in Layton, Utah, so contact us today to schedule an appointment with us!