A comprehensive at-home oral care regimen keeps your mouth, teeth, and gums healthy. However, negligent, or improper brushing and flossing can lead to serious dental issues like periodontal disease. In turn, periodontal disease can lead to bone and tissue loss or tooth extractions. The best preventative measures include proper at-home care combined with regular visits to Gardena Dental Care in California!
The American Dental Association and Gardena Dental Care recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. You can begin at a 45-degree angle to your gums and make small, circular motions to remove plaque buildup. Each tooth should be thoroughly brushed, and this includes its inner, outer, and biting surfaces. It is also best to brush your teeth for no less than two to three minutes! Flossing should be completed at least once a day and is crucial for reaching areas your toothbrush cannot.
In addition to brushing your teeth, taking care of your gums is essential. They should be brushed as well, and you can use the rubber tip of your soft-bristled toothbrush to gently massage your gums. This helps to stimulate them, improve blood flow, and decrease inflammation.
If you have braces, you can continue to brush as normal. However, floss threaders are optimal for flossing because they can reach difficult areas like under wires. Waxed floss is also easier to navigate with if you wear braces. Other tips and tricks for keeping braces clean include water flossers and interdental flossing brushes.
It is vital to protect your dentures when you remove them. For example, you can put a towel in the sink to cushion the blow in case they fall, or you can fill the sink with water. Dentures can easily warp, so it is best to avoid hot water. Lukewarm or room temperature water ensures that your dentures will retain their shape. After removing them from your mouth, you can also use a specialized denture-soaking solution to carefully clean them before allowing them to soak until morning.
If your dentures are not removable, there is no need to worry. Our friendly dental hygienist will show you the best way to care for them!
Dietary choices play a larger role in oral health than some may think. For example, foods with fiber, calcium, and polyphenols promote oral health. On the contrary, too many sugar-filled sweets or carbonated sodas can be damaging to your oral health. It is also best to limit or avoid foods filled with simple starches, like chips and soft bread. These foods can easily become stuck between teeth, giving bacteria something to feast on!
Despite how well you brush or floss, regular appointments at Gardena Dental Care should still be made. There is a certain buildup of plaque on teeth that only a dental hygienist can remove and that brushing and flossing do not reach. A thorough at-home oral care regimen combined with regular dental exams and cleanings is the best way to keep your mouth healthy and your teeth strong!
Do You Have Oral Health Questions for Gardena Dental Care?
Our dentists are here to answer any oral health questions you may have. Contact us or call (424) 295-7885 to get answers today!
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