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Prevention is key! Good dental hygiene is not only important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but also for overall health. Plaque buildup on your teeth can lead to cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Brush Your Teeth Regularly

You should brush your teeth at least twice each day using ADA-approved products, such as a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. To make sure you are brushing properly, you should follow these three tips:

1. Make sure you brush for at least two minutes each time you clean your smile. While you might feel like you are done in about one minute, you will miss many plaque and food particles if you rush through your routine.
2. Review the directions on your toothpaste tube to ensure you are using the right amount. Too much or too little of these products will not be as effective as you need them to be.
3. Do not rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth. You want just enough water to remove particles and bacteria from your mouth when you spit.

In addition to practicing these dental hygiene habits at home, you should also make sure to get professional cleanings from your dentist at least twice a year. Even if you follow all of these tips for maintaining good oral health, you will still need to schedule checkups and cleanings to prevent tooth decay and other complications from occurring in your mouth.

Floss Daily

While brushing your teeth twice a day is a great start, flossing every day will greatly benefit your dental health. Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach. Without routine flossing, you risk decay forming in between teeth. The gums can also become inflamed and turn on themselves causing gum disease.

Avoid Smoking or Chewing Tobacco

Smoking and chewing tobacco have a number of negative effects on the teeth and gums. It increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer, as well as yellowing the teeth. Quitting tobacco use can significantly improve your oral health.

See Your Dentist at Least Twice a Year 

To maintain your oral health, you should see a dentist for routine checkups and cleanings every six months. Routine exams allow your dentist to get an in-depth view of your dental health and identify any signs of gum disease or decay before a cavity forms. By getting regular cleanings, you’re helping to prevent gingivitis and plaque buildup, which can lead to tooth decay and cavities. During your visit, we’ll take x-rays to check for cavities and examine your teeth and mouth for signs of problems. We’ll clean your teeth and remove plaque buildup from hard to reach areas. After the cleaning we apply a fluoride varnish to help protect your teeth from future decay.

Other Quick Dental Hygiene Tips

• Rinse your mouth out with water after snacks, meals, and sugary drinks 
• Chew gum that contains xylitol
• Introduce a tongue scraper to your oral hygiene routine
• Avoid drinks that cause stain - coffee, red wine, tea, cola, fruit juice
• Replace your toothbrush at the signs of wear

At Legacy Dental, we are ready to help our patients keep their smiles healthy and clean throughout the year. We are happy to schedule you for a full exam and cleaning. Contact us if you are ready to book an appointment with us soon.