Taking care of your mouth and teeth is an important part of overall health. Practicing good oral hygiene at home is essential to preventing bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. Here are some tips on how to maintain good oral hygiene while you’re at home.
Brush Twice a Day
The most important part of maintaining good oral hygiene is brushing twice a day for two minutes each time. Make sure that you brush all surfaces of your teeth—front, back, top, and bottom—with gentle circular motions. You should also focus on your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria and food particles. The American Dental Association recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste when brushing.
Floss Daily
In addition to brushing twice a day, it is also important to floss once a day. Flossing removes plaque between teeth that can’t be reached with a toothbrush. It’s important to use proper flossing technique—wrap the floss around each finger in an “C” shape then gently insert it between the teeth until you feel resistance before moving up or down the side of each tooth. Proper flossing can help remove bacteria from hard-to-reach places in your mouth that could cause decay or gum disease if left unchecked.
Limit Sugary Foods & Drinks
Sugary foods and drinks are not only bad for your overall health, but they can also be detrimental to your dental health as well. Eating sugary snacks or drinking sugary beverages can lead to cavities if left unchecked. To keep sugar consumption at bay, try limiting sugary snacks like candy or soda and opt for healthier alternatives like fruit or water instead. This will help reduce the amount of sugar in your diet as well as minimize any damage that it may cause over time to your teeth and gums.
Good oral hygiene at home is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums and preventing bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. To practice good oral hygiene at home make sure you brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily with proper technique, and limit sugary foods & drinks in order to keep sugar consumption at bay. Following these tips will help ensure that you’re taking care of your smile so that it shines bright!