Let’s Have A Quick Refresher On Oral Hygiene Basics

You’ve been brushing your teeth for a very long time, but sometimes when we get into a routine, we also get into a rut and might not pay as much attention to our habits as we should. Even if you already know what to do to take care of your oral health at home, are you performing your oral hygiene routine with intention and mindfulness? Let’s find out!

Keep reading to learn more!

Oral Hygiene 101: A Refresher

What does it mean to brush for two minutes?

It’s a well-known fact that you should brush for at least two minutes morning and night, and ideally after every meal. But what does that involve? 

1. A good oral hygiene session starts with a good toothbrush. Most dentists (including us) recommend a soft-bristled electric toothbrush because it is more effective at removing plaque. If you’re using a manual toothbrush, that’s also fine, just don’t apply too much pressure, or you could inadvertently damage your teeth.
2. Divide and conquer is your best strategy for ensuring you get every tooth clean. Giving even time to all of your teeth is very important, so it’s helpful to divide your mouth into six sections: top and bottom, then front side, top side, and back side. If you give all six sections twenty seconds of attention each, you’ll have made it to exactly two minutes.
3. Pay attention to your gums. When you brush your teeth, you should use your toothbrush to gently massage your gums as well. Your teeth are nestled inside your gums, and so it stands to reason that the plaque you build up in your daily life is also getting onto your gums.

How effective is your flossing?

If you’ve ever gotten a popcorn kernel stuck between your teeth, you know that getting it out is rarely possible without the help of some dental floss. To get that piece of popcorn to pop out, you have to bring the floss a little bit under your tooth and make sure it’s scraping up against your enamel as you lift the string out. That’s also how you should be flossing every morning and night to effectively remove the plaque and smaller food particles from between your teeth. And don’t forget to floss the backs of your back molars. They may be last in line, but there’s still space between them and your gums for food to get stuck.

Keep Up the Good Work!

If you’re following these tips twice a day, then you’ve got your daily dental health covered! Don’t forget: Even the best brushing and flossing can’t clean as effectively as professional dental equipment, so be sure to keep in touch with us for your twice-yearly cleanings and checkups.

If you’re due for an exam and cleaning, call our office located in West Chester, OH to get an appointment scheduled. Let’s schedule appointments for the whole family while we’re at it. It’s never too early or late to start good oral health habits!