Home Dental Care

To maximize dental care, it’s important to care for teeth, gums and the tongue. There are a number of oral hygiene techniques you can use to ensure that you enjoy optimal dental health.

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How to Brush Effectively

  • Place your toothbrush on your teeth at a 45-degree angle and gently brush teeth surface in an elliptical motion. Be sure to brush the outside, in between and inside of the teeth and your tongue.
  • Dentists generally recommend brushing for 3-4 minutes, the length of an average song.
  • Toothbrush head should be about 1” by ½” with a long, wide handle for a firm grasp. For best results it should have soft, nylon bristles with round ends.
  • Look out for brushes that are too abrasive that can wear down the teeth. A soft, rounded, multi-tufted brush can clean teeth effectively.
  • Using a back and forth motion causes the gum surface to recede and can expose the root.

Brushing at work

A recent survey by Oral-B Laboratories and the Academy of General Dentistry indicates that keeping a toothbrush at work, increases the chance that you’ll brush during the day by 65 %.

Removing teeth debris immediately stops sugary snacks from becoming damaging acids and catches starchy foods, like potato chips, before they become cavity-causing sugar. If you don’t have a toothbrush at work rinsing your mouth with water for 30 seconds after lunch will also help.

Gargling, Gum Disease and Your Breath

Gargling kills germs and bacteria that cause bad breath and helps prevent plaque and gum diseases. A gargle which contains a small amount of alcohol is best for killing germs in the mouth. A thorough gargle should last for at least 60 seconds.

Flossing

Did you know that your teeth are not really clean unless they’re flossed each day? Despite all the brushing, bacteria can still thrive in your mouth. Do not skip flossing.

Flossing is important because it loosens and removes particles of food and plaque trapped between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Even the most diligent of brushers and devout users of dental irrigators should floss daily.

Flossing every day, or even once or twice a week will improve the condition of your teeth and gums. You can even do it while you watch television.