Want Fewer Dental Visits? Start With These 5 At-Home Tips

Healthy teeth begins at home.

Regular dental checkups at Lake Pointe Dental Group are part of a routine oral health care routine to make sure your teeth are healthy. But a good dental care routine begins at home. There are a number of things you can be doing at home to help keep your teeth healthy between dental checkups. These simple habits can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental emergencies that you can experience. Read on to learn more about what you can do daily at home as part of your overall dental routine.

1. Brush twice a day (the right way).

Everyone knows that part of a healthy dental routine is brushing your teeth at least twice daily for a minimum of two minutes. But are you using the correct technique to brush your teeth?

First, you need to have the right equipment. The Lake Pointe Dental Group recommends using a soft bristled toothbrush with the right sized head. If your toothbrush’s head is too large, you won’t be able to maneuver it easily in your mouth, and could miss brushing all surfaces of your teeth properly.

Next, choose the correct toothpaste. The American Dental Association (ADA) will put its seal on products it recommends, so if you see that seal on products, you know they are a good choice. The Lake Pointe Dental Group recommends choosing a toothpaste with fluoride added. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to fortify the teeth’s enamel, which can help protect your teeth against cavities.

Now that you have the correct tools, it’s time to put them to good use. When it comes to brushing your teeth, you want to make sure you are brushing all surfaces of your teeth, including the front, backs, and tops of the teeth. To brush properly, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use small, gentle circles, brushing along each tooth’s surface.

Make sure you are hitting every part of your tooth to ensure all surfaces are getting cleaned. You don’t want to use your toothbrush to scrub your teeth or use too much pressure, as that can damage the enamel of your teeth, or cause your gums to bleed.

To help ensure you are brushing all of your teeth, imagine your mouth is divided into four quadrants. Spend at least 30 seconds brushing each quadrant before you move on to the next part of your mouth.

2. Floss daily–yes, really!

Since your toothbrush isn’t able to get between your teeth, how do you make sure those areas are clean? That’s where flossing comes into play. The spaces between your teeth are perfect places for bacteria to hide. Dental caries and cavities are commonly found between teeth, which is why flossing daily is part of a great dental hygiene routine.

Now, let’s make sure you know how to floss properly. Take a piece of dental floss that is about 18-inches long. Wind the dental floss around both of your middle fingers, and holding the floss taut between your index fingers and thumbs, gently slide the floss down between two of your teeth. Using a “C” shape, curve the dental floss against one side of the tooth. Use a small swiping motion to gently rub the floss along the surface of the tooth. This motion will remove anything that is caught in between your teeth.

As you move toward the gumline, gently push back the gum with the dental floss, and using the same “C” shape, gently swipe away any food particles that may be stuck.

Once this is done, repeat the same process on the other side of the tooth. Next, slide the floss out from between your teeth. Wind the used piece of floss down your finger until you get a clean section, then repeat the process until all of your teeth have been flossed.

3. Use a fluoride rinse.

If you are looking to help fortify the enamel on your teeth, consider using a fluoride rinse. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to make the enamel stronger, providing extra protection from cavities. A fluoride rinse is great for both adults and children. Next time you visit Lake Pointe Dental Group, ask our team about getting a fluoride treatment.

4. Limit sugary and acidic foods.

Avoiding sugary and acidic foods can help keep your teeth strong. Bacteria feed on sugar, which can create acid that, over time, wears down the enamel on the teeth. Weaker enamel is more susceptible to dental caries and cavities. So, if you are consuming foods that are high in sugar, like sodas or candy, or high in acid, like citrus, make sure you brush your teeth after consuming these items, or rinse your mouth out with water at the very least.

5. Stay hydrated.

Consuming enough water is important for a healthy lifestyle, but staying hydrated is also beneficial for your oral health. Water helps to wash away food particles and bacteria that may be hanging out in your mouth. Water also promotes saliva production, which is key to helping protect your teeth. Water helps to regulate the pH in your mouth, leading to happy and healthy teeth.

Schedule your checkup at Lake Pointe Dental Group.

Following these five habits can help you have a healthy mouth, but it is still important to visit our Oklahoma City office at least twice a year for preventative dental care checkups, just to make sure there are no issues with your teeth or gums. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment!