While it’s important to visit your dentist regularly, it’s equally crucial to make sure you practice good dental hygiene between appointments. If you’re not taking the right steps to keep your mouth healthy at home, the benefits of professional cleanings will go right out the window. This is why we’ve compiled our best tips—recommended by our very own dentists here in Prince George—to help you maintain good oral hygiene habits.
Brush after Meals It’s essential that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. We recommend waiting 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth to get rid of food and bacteria. Proper technique makes a big difference when brushing your teeth. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle with the top of it pointed toward your gum line. Use short, circular motions while brushing. Make sure you brush the back, front and top of each tooth. To avoid damaging your gums, use a soft-bristle brush and replace it every three to four months. Floss Daily Flossing every day is just as important as regular brushing when it comes to preventing cavities and gum disease. It gets rid of the bacteria and food debris that build up in the places between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Good technique also matters when flossing. Wrap the floss tightly around your fingers and gently slide the floss up and down between two teeth. Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth to clean the space where the tooth meets the gum. And don’t forget to floss behind all four of your last molars where food debris is prone to accumulating. Eat Wisely To protect your teeth and gums, avoid consuming sugary and processed foods and beverages as much as possible. Sugar contributes to tooth decay because bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars, which then create acids that can destroy tooth enamel and thereby make your teeth more susceptible to cavities. Drinking lots of water, chewing sugar-free gum and eating foods like raw apples, carrots and celery can help stave off tooth decay in between brushings. See Your Dentist Regularly It’s critical to schedule appointments with your dentist every six months. No matter how well you brush and floss, at-home dental care is not a replacement for professional cleanings and fluoride treatments. Furthermore, regular checkups allow your dentist to identify problems before they become bigger issues that are more costly to resolve. If you’re need of an appointment or want more dental hygiene tips, get in touch with the clinic of Dr. Richard Wilczek in Prince George. Our dentists would be happy to give you advice on maintaining healthy teeth and gums. To schedule a visit, contact us today.