Proper dental hygiene starts at home.

A proper oral hygiene routine begins at home with you. From brushing daily to avoiding sugary drinks, there are many small things you can do to help keep your mouth happy. The team at Parmer Lane Family Dentistry in Austin, TX, encourages everyone to visit their office at least twice a year as part of a healthy oral health care routine, as well as do a few things every day to help keep your mouth happy. Here are ten things you should keep in mind to help maintain a healthy and happy mouth through a proper dental hygiene routine.

Oral hygiene starts with brushing twice daily.

The number one thing you can do to help keep your mouth healthy is to brush your teeth at least twice each day. Each of those brushings should last at least two minutes to ensure you are brushing your entire mouth. Make sure you are paying attention to all surfaces of your teeth, including the back and sides. 

To get the most out of your brushing, make sure you are using products recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA). Products that are recommended by the ADA will have an ADA seal on them. Look for soft bristled toothbrushes, and make sure you choose the right head size for your mouth. You want a toothbrush with a head that is easily maneuverable in your mouth so you can brush all surfaces of your teeth, including your back molars. As for toothpaste, look for one that contains fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can help fortify teeth to make them stronger.

Floss daily.

Flossing daily is important because it ensures the space between your teeth gets cleaned. Bacteria and food particles can hide between teeth, and toothbrushes may not be able to reach those spaces to sweep away the particles.

If you are new to flossing, the first step is choosing what type of dental floss to use. Most dentists recommend using unwaxed dental floss because it actually slides between the teeth more easily and is more efficient at removing plaque.

Once you have chosen your dental floss, break off a piece of floss that is about 18 inches in length. Wrap the dental floss around your middle fingers, with the majority of the floss wrapped around one finger. The finger that has the least amount of dental floss will be the finger that takes on the used floss as you floss your teeth. Most people find it easier to use their dominant hand to start with the majority of the floss because it can guide and control the floss easier as you go.

When you begin flossing, hold the dental floss tightly between your thumb and index finger, and guide the dental floss down between two teeth. Gently rub the dental floss up and down each side of the tooth, making sure to floss the tooth on the right and the tooth on the left of where your dental floss is. To help prevent gingivitis and gum disease, don’t forget to floss around your gumline. To do this, curve the floss around each tooth in a C-shape and repeat the gentle rubbing motion.

Once you have finished with both sides of the teeth, slide the dental floss out from between the teeth, wind the floss down to the finger receiving the used floss, then repeat the flossing process for each tooth in your mouth. It’s important that each tooth uses a fresh portion of dental floss to avoid spreading any bacteria.

Use mouthwash.

Many dentists will recommend that mouthwash be used daily. Look for a mouthwash that has fluoride added to it. A daily rinsing of your mouth with mouthwash after flossing at night can help flush out any left over bacteria in your mouth, while the fluoride can help strengthen the enamel on your teeth.

Replace your toothbrush.

Did you know it’s important to replace your toothbrush every three to four months? Daily brushing will wear your toothbrush down, and once the bristles are frayed, they cannot do a proper job of brushing your teeth. Once you notice the bristles on your toothbrush are fraying, replace it immediately. You should also replace your toothbrush after you have been sick because bacteria can stay living on your toothbrush longer than you may think, which can re-infect you.

Maintain a healthy diet.

A healthy, balanced diet is important for your overall health, but there are some foods that can help contribute to a healthy mouth. Foods containing calcium, like dairy products, help build up the dentin in teeth to make them stronger. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, like celery, carrots, and apples, can act as nature’s toothbrushes and help to swipe away bacteria while being chewed. Dentists also recommend limiting sugary and acidic foods, because prolonged exposure to these types of foods and drinks can wear down enamel on the teeth and overtime can lead to cavities.

Drink more water.

We all know it is important to drink water to help keep you and your mouth hydrated, but drinking water can also help wash away leftover food particles. Water balances out the pH in your mouth, which will help neutralize cavity-causing acid. Dentists recommend drinking at least eight glasses of water per day, so keep a water bottle handy to sip on throughout the day.

Avoid tobacco products.

Tobacco products are the leading cause of mouth and lung cancer, so that should be reason enough to avoid them. Tobacco products can also cause bad breath, teeth staining, and even tooth loss if used frequently. If you need a dental restoration, such as a dental implant, smoking or tobacco use can increase your risk of the implant failing.

Limit sugary drinks.

Many drinks contain hidden sugars, including fruit juices. Those sugars can slowly eat away at the enamel on your teeth if sipped on throughout the day. And if you think you can get around this by drinking sugar-free sodas, unfortunately, these drinks still contain acids that can be detrimental to your enamel. To avoid the extra sugars and acids, limit juices and sodas to meal time only, and have water readily available throughout the rest of the day.

Chew sugar-free gum.

If you find that your mouth is getting dry during the day, don’t turn to a piece of candy to suck on. Instead, chew on a piece of sugar-free gum. This can help stimulate saliva production, which will help wash away bacteria that has built up in your mouth. Look for products with xylitol, a natural sugar substitute that can help prevent tooth decay.

Visit Parmer Lane Family Dentistry biannually.

Finally, one of the best things you can do for your oral health is visit the Parmer Lane Family Dentistry team at least twice a year for a complete dental evaluation. This will allow our team to check out your teeth to make sure there are no cavities or any other dental issues. If you haven’t seen us in a while, give us a call to schedule your appointment today!