When it comes to our health and wellness, dental health is one of the most commonly neglected items on our daily grooming schedule. But it shouldn’t be. It may sound enough to brush and floss your teeth twice a day but there are a number of additional steps that you should remember. For instance, your should go for routine deep teeth cleaning at a pediatric dentistry friendswood. Continue reading to find out what they are and how they can improve your oral hygiene routine. 

Use the right type of toothbrush 

As well as brushing your teeth twice a day, you must ensure you are doing so with the right type of toothbrush. There are several options to choose from including soft bristled, medium bristled, and hard bristled. To find out which you should opt for, you should assess your oral hygiene as well as the type of toothbrush you are currently using and make any changes as necessary going forward. It may also benefit you to ask a paediatric dentist, or a dentist that is familiar with your oral history, what they recommend. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, a hard bristled toothbrush may be too rough and do more harm than good. In addition, applying too much pressure may damage your gums or gradually wear away at the enamel protecting your teeth. This can lead to tooth decay in the long run. If you are unsure, a soft bristled toothbrush should suffice. Also read about electric tooth brushes here

Use the right type of toothpaste

As well as using the right type of toothbrush, you must also use the right type of toothpaste. Whilst all toothpastes rid your teeth of harmful bacteria and plaque, others may provide additional benefits or trigger an unpleasant reaction. This is why it’s important to ask your dentist for advice and guidance before switching to a brand-new toothpaste with ingredients you are unfamiliar with. For example, if you have sensitive teeth, a whitening or charcoal toothpaste may gradually wear away at your enamel or irritate your gums and cause them to bleed. It may not necessarily be a cause for concern, but it can be unsightly and worrying. When it comes to choosing the right type of toothpaste, you must ensure it contains fluoride. This is a key ingredient in toothpaste and helps strengthen enamel by slowing the rate of decay and promoting the natural process of remineralization. Ask about fluoride therapy from your paediatric dentist.

Use the right brushing and flossing technique 

As you can probably tell, good dental health is not determined by whether or not you take care of your teeth regularly but by how you take care of your teeth regularly. This is why it is important to use the right brushing and flossing technique. If you are unsure or are just looking to sharpen your skills, try holding your toothbrush at an angle and point the bristles at your gums. You must then brush your teeth using short circular or sawing motions. On the other hand, when it comes to flossing, you must exercise a similar degree of care and attention to detail. This includes being gentle and allowing the floss to gently slide between your teeth in a zig-zag motion until it touches your gums. There is no right and wrong answer, but several dentists also recommend using between one to two inches of floss. 

Replace your toothbrush regularly 

If your toothbrush appears clean and in normal working order, you may see no reason to replace it. But toothbrushes can harbour millions of invisible bacteria that can not only render your entire tooth brushing routine ineffective but also make you sick. If your bristles are worn or shedding, your toothbrush may struggle to remove stubborn food particles and plaque and promote the onset of tooth decay. If you have used your current toothbrush for four months or more, on the other hand, it may be time for a replacement. A dentist in Brisbane based or elsewhere should be able to advise you on how often you should replace your toothbrush as well as offer expert guidance on how to improve your oral hygiene routine. If you are looking for more information, you can learn more here about their services. It may also benefit you to know that you should rinse your toothbrush after brushing and store it in an upright position to allow it to dry properly and prevent bacteria from developing and multiplying. 

Brush your tongue 

When it comes to our dental health, our teeth usually top our list of priorities. But as well as ensuring our teeth are clean and healthy, we must also take the time to ensure our mouth is as healthy as it can be. This includes brushing your tongue. It may surprise you to know that the tongue is home to the most bacteria-covered spots in the human body. As a result, plaque can also build up on your tongue as well as your teeth. This can lead to an unpleasant odour and even trigger the onset of serious oral health problems such as cavities, tooth decay, and periodontal disease down the line. By failing to do so, you may also develop what is commonly referred to as a dark hairy tongue. This occurs when the tiny bumps on your tongue called papillae are stained by the excess consumption of dark food and fluids such as red wine, cola, and coffee. When you brush your teeth, you should gently brush your tongue before you put your toothbrush down. 

Schedule regular dental check-ups 

Registering for a dentist and scheduling regular dental check-up and clean is the most important step in maintaining good dental health. Whilst most steps can be implemented from the comfort of your own home, a dentist or dental professional can examine your oral hygiene, identify emerging problems, and suggest suitable treatments in the future. They can also treat your teeth and mouth to a thorough clean, scale, and polish if required with access to specialist tools and equipment. This can prevent plaque and tartar from forming and building upon your gums and between your teeth. If tartar has formed, a trip to the dentist is the only way to ensure it has been removed and is unlikely to return. 

Use mouthwash 

If you are looking for a way to boost your dental health, mouthwash may be the solution for you. It may be advertised as an optional step in the oral hygiene routine, but it can provide you with some benefits for your overall health and wellness in the long run. By using it regularly, you can remove lingering food particles and bacteria from your teeth and gums, reduce the amount of acid in your mouth, and remineralize your teeth. If you cannot floss or find it difficult to maintain good dental health, mouthwash is a great way to ensure you are taking care of your mouth and teeth with minimal effort. 

Dental health should be one of the most important steps in your daily grooming routine, but it is also one of the most neglected. However, by familiarizing yourself with a number of handy tips and tricks, you can improve your oral hygiene and enhance your smile.