Every day you take the time to clean and care for your smile, but are you getting the most out of your daily routine? Our Toluca Lake dentists are here to help you optimize your daily oral hygiene routine. We have seen firsthand how powerful a few simple tweaks can be.
When it comes to brushing, you first want to make sure that you’re using the right tools. Most patients will do well to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, as these bristles effectively clean teeth without risking inadvertent enamel erosion and oral tissue damage. Your dentist will let you know if you should use a different type of toothbrush.
To perfect your brushing technique, you want to make sure that you’re brushing for at least two minutes every time. You can even set a timer or listen to a two-minute-long song to help you keep track. It’s also important to apply very little pressure as you brush; the goal is to clean your smile with sustained, gentle brushing motions.
Flossing is an often-overlooked component of a well-designed at-home oral hygiene routine. The best time to floss is when you clean your smile at night, right before you brush your teeth. This allows you to dislodge dental debris and bacteria, and then promptly brush and rinse it away. You also want to make sure that you are using a clean portion of your length of floss as you move from tooth to tooth. Failing to do so could cause you to compound plaque as you go.
There are a number of variants of floss available on the market today. When choosing a type of floss, you simply want to make sure that the floss is an appropriate width; you should be able to move it up and down fully between all of your teeth. Using a floss that is too thick will decrease the efficacy.
As always, our Toluca Lake dentists are here to give you personalized recommendations; feel free to give us a call to schedule a consultation with our team. Take the time to perfect your at-home dental routine now, and your smile will thank you down the road!