Improving Your Dental Care

4 Ways to Improve Your Dental Hygiene

If you are brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, you are taking care of your basic dental hygiene routine. However, there are additional steps you could be taking to further improve your dental hygiene routine and improve your overall oral health.

#1: Switch to An Electric Toothbrush

If you are still brushing your teeth by hand, you are not necessarily getting the best brush possible. An electric toothbrush can clean your teeth on an even deeper level as you move it up and down in a circular motion in your mouth, as the toothbrush vibrates at the same time. An electric toothbrush can more effectively remove the plaque and calcium that build up in your mouth.

Keep in mind as you brush with an electric toothbrush, you don't want to apply too much pressure around the gum line, as excessive pressure can be damaging to the gum line. You also should always hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle while near the gumline.

#2: Brush Your Tongue

If you are not brushing your tongue at the beginning or end of your tooth-brushing routine, you are not really cleaning your entire mouth. Millions of bacteria live on the surface of your tongue, and when you don't brush your tongue, it is like wiping down the sides of a countertop but not the middle.

You should gently brush your tongue for a few seconds twice a day as you brush your teeth. This will help remove the bacteria from your mouth, leading to a cleaner mouth and better-smelling breath.

#3: Keep a Toothbrush at Work

It is a good idea to keep a spare toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss at work and/or in your vehicle. That way, if you ever get food stuck in your teeth, or your breath smells bad from something you eat, you have a safe way to quickly clean your teeth.

Make sure your store your extra toothbrush in a special covering to protect it from dust or germs. Being able to brush your teeth whenever you need to will help keep your teeth in better shape.

#4: Rinse After Flossing

When you floss, you loosen and remove debris that is stuck around your teeth. That is why you should rinse your mouth out with water after flossing. This will remove any debris that was loosened from the flossing process and will also remove bacteria from your mouth.

If you want to take better care of your dental health, try these tips and see your dentist twice a year for a formal cleaning and check-up. 


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