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Your Home Dental Care Routine
Dental care at home is crucial to a healthy and beautiful smile. It extends beyond your daily brushing and flossing - diet and eating habits influence your oral health as well. We encourage patients to maintain a balanced diet, limit their snacking, and strive for consistent cleaning habits. Below are some basic guidelines for your home dental care routine.
Brush your teeth - The old adage holds true: brushing at least twice a day is the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Most importantly, always brush before bed. We recommend using an ADA approved toothpaste and soft bristle toothbrush.
- Using fine, circular motion, keep the brush at a 45 degree angle to your gums (always being sure that you feel the bristles as you go).
- Brush all surfaces, including the inner, outer, and top (biting) surface of each tooth.
Don't forget the inside of your front teeth - use the tip of the brush.
- Freshen your breath and remove bacteria by brushing your tongue as well.
- Electric toothbrushes can be an excellent tool: they are efficient in removing plaque, with half the work.
Floss daily - Always floss on a daily basis to clean not only between your teeth, but under the gumline as well. This strengthens the gums and dislodges plaque colonies that may otherwise build up and damage the gums, teeth, and bone. Some flossing tips:
- Using about 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss, wrap it around your fingers while leaving 2 inches or so in between.
- Guide the floss with the thumbs and forefingers, using a sawing motion as you insert the floss between your teeth.
- Take care to clean the side of every tooth, down to the gumline.
- Floss holders are an effective tool for those who may have difficulty with conventional dental floss.
Rinse away - Rinsing is recommended not only after brushing, but following meals as well - especially if you don't have a chance to brush. We encourage you to consult with dentists or hygienists concerning any over-the-counter rising products. We may also recommend other dental aids as necessary (e.g. fluoride, tongue cleaners, irrigation devices, medicated rinses, rubber tip stimulators, interdental brushes, etc).
Dentist in Milton is committed to providing personalized home dental care consultations. We are the trusted dentist in Milton, Braintree, Holbrook, Quincy, Milton, Avon, Stoughton, and the South Shore. |
