If you were to ask 100 people what they do to protect their mouth every day, the answers might shock you. Some people only brush during the week and not on the weekends. Others only brush their teeth a few days week and many of them never floss! In fact, you just might be one of those people. Luckily, it’s never too late to start committing to a better oral care routine. The results are truly priceless (plus you’ll save money on restorative dental treatments later in life.)
That’s why your dentist in Superior wanted to provide a few ways to make daily oral care easier as well as provide the best methods to do so.
The Importance of Daily Oral Hygiene
There are two big reasons to practice oral hygiene every day: to prevent tooth decay and prevent gum disease. By avoiding these common oral diseases, you won’t have to worry about needing restorative treatments later on which can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars. You’ll also be able to avoid the discomfort that comes with it in the dental chair.
If you particular enjoy eating a wide variety of foods or even just enjoy eating in general, good oral health will allow you to keep doing that. Without a full mouth of healthy teeth, your diet can become severely limited. If you have children, you’ll also want to help them retain these habits at an early age, so their early development doesn’t hit any speed bumps.
The Best Way to Brush and Floss
When brushing, only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Using any more is wasteful and only going to cost you more money later. Start by brushing the front of your teeth using a circular motion. Afterwards, switch to brushing the four corners of your mouth for about 30 seconds each for a total of two minutes.
Once you’ve finished brushing, rinse out your mouth and pull out a 12 to 18-inch long string of waxed dental floss. Wrap a bit of floss around both your pointer fingers and gently slide the floss in between each of your teeth. If this is too difficult, swap the boxed floss for floss picks or a handheld floss holder. This is especially ideal for reaching your back teeth which are the most vulnerable to tooth decay.
How to Always Remember Your Oral Care Routine
If you ever find yourself hitting the bed as soon as you’re tired or you rush out the door in the morning to go to work, you’re more likely to skip your oral car habits entirely. Instead, attach a habit you already have in the morning and at night with oral care, so you never forget.
For example, before you even think about what you’re going to wear that day, head to bathroom to brush. If one of your favorite things to do is watching tv or reading a book before bed, make sure that brushing your teeth comes beforehand. Pretty soon, you won’t be able to do either of these things without the sensation of a thoroughly cleaned mouth.
Want more tips on improving your oral care? Schedule an appointment with your dentist in Superior today to learn more!
About the Author
Dr. Doug Clark, Jr., earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Marquette University School of Dentistry. After 30 years of practicing, he shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. He’s also a member of the ADA, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. To learn about his preventive treatments and practice, contact him at (715) 392-5161 or visit his website.