Oral hygiene instructions are a set of dental care steps that help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. A good oral hygiene routine can keep your teeth healthy and strong for a lifetime.
A good dental hygiene routine includes brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental toothbrush, and avoiding smoking or tobacco products.
Floss Daily
Flossing removes bacteria from the spaces between your teeth, areas that are hard to reach with your toothbrush. This helps to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. It also improves your overall health, as studies have shown that people with poor oral hygiene are at a greater risk of diabetes, heart disease, and dementia.
If you are not flossing regularly, try to make it a daily habit. Many people find that it is easier to do this if they keep a roll of dental floss next to their toothbrush and use it as a reminder not to skip this important step. Each flossing session should last a few minutes.
When you floss, be sure to be gentle and do not snap the floss into the gums. Instead, guide the floss between each pair of teeth using a rubbing motion. When you get to the gum line, curve the floss into a C shape against one tooth and gently slide it under the gum to clean the area. Then, move to the next tooth and repeat.
Some people prefer to floss in the morning before work, after lunch, or at night before they go to bed, but it is all a matter of finding the best time for you and your family. Ultimately, the most important thing is that you floss every day!
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Even if you have excellent oral hygiene habits at home, you still need to visit your dentist on a regular basis. During these visits, your teeth will be cleaned and analyzed for signs of decay, infection, or other problems. Additionally, your dentist will be able to check for any lumps or growths that you may not notice or feel yourself. As a general rule, it is much easier and less expensive to treat dental problems at their early stages, so the more you visit your dentist regularly, the better your oral health will be.
Additionally, dentists are often on the front lines when it comes to detecting a number of different health issues. From gum disease to various types of cancer, there are a number of conditions that can be detected by a skilled dentist during routine dental exams and cleanings. In addition, your dentist will be able to give you advice on how to improve your oral hygiene practices at home in order to avoid dental problems, such as halitosis.
Visiting your dentist every six months will help ensure that you maintain good oral health. In the meantime, be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and clean between them with floss or an interdental brush daily. Additionally, be sure to eat a balanced diet and limit your sugar intake.