Dentist in El Paso Tips for Oral Hygiene
Adopting good oral hygiene habits is crucial for keeping teeth and gums healthy. Simple dental practices like brushing and flossing protect your mouth from plaque and bacteria.
Follow these eight oral hygiene tips for the healthiest teeth.
#1 Brush Twice a Day
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes to rid the mouth of plaque and bacteria. Dr. Purdy recommends using a medium or soft-bristled toothbrush as these are hard enough to remove food but soft for the gums.
Hold your toothbrush at an angle, brushing the front, back, and sides in circular motions. Poorly brushing your teeth can leave behind food and bacteria, and a buildup of harmful plaque.
#2 Brush Your Tongue
Brush your tongue or use a scraper each time you clean your mouth to improve your breath.
It can be helpful to switch to an electric toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. The smaller head can clean parts of your mouth that a manual toothbrush head struggles to reach.
#3 Fluoride Toothpaste
There are many toothpaste brands that unfortunately exclude fluoride from their ingredients, leaving teeth unprotected.
Fluoride is a mineral in your bones and is also found naturally in water, soil, plants, rocks, and the air. Fluoride helps protect teeth from decay by:
- Strengthening the tooth’s surface
- Preventing the growth of bacteria
- Repairing the early stages of decay
When we eat and drink, we increase the acidity levels in our mouth that strip minerals from our teeth and lead to tooth decay. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste acts as a repair kit to neutralize the effects of acid.
#4 Floss Daily
Brushing isn’t so great at removing food and debris stuck between the teeth. Floss at night before bed and before you’ve brushed your teeth.
Dr. Purdy recommends gently pushing the floss down between your teeth to the gum line. Then hug one side of the tooth with the floss in an up-down motion. Repeat the same hugging motion on the opposite tooth.
#5 Consider Mouthwash
Mouthwash is not an essential part of an oral hygiene routine. However, when done in addition to brushing and flossing, it helps kill bacteria and reduces plaque and nasty halitosis. Mouthwash helps alkalize the PH of your saliva and its erosive effects on teeth and promotes enamel mineralization.
#6 Diet Matters
Sugar in the mouth converts to acid and has a detrimental effect on tooth enamel. Cutting down on overly processed foods, sugar-laden foods, and drinks are the best actions for your teeth and overall health.
#7 Biannual Dental Visits
Your teeth and gums may look fine but can hide problems that are hard to see except by a dentist. Make sure you are booking regular six-month visits to John M Purdy DDS in El Paso to check the status of your mouth and get a thorough teeth cleaning.
Dr. Purdy can spot the buildup of plaque and tartar that can lead to gingivitis and other costly and painful problems. Seeing your dentist in El Paso twice a year is the best way to prevent serious tooth problems.
#8 Regularly Change Toothbrush
Proper brushing is vital for your dental health. But brushing with flat or splayed bristles will not get the job done. Change your toothbrush or swap your electric toothbrush head for a new one every three months or once the bristles go wild.
Please schedule an appointment at John M Purdy DDS dental office in El Paso, TX. We are experts in dental care and keeping your smile healthy.
