The Best Possible Routine for Optimal Dental Health

From childhood, we are taught the importance of brushing our teeth every day. Dental health is something that cannot and should not be taken for granted. Thankfully, there are a good number of products available on the market. However, a lot of those same products make big promises in terms of health that are not necessarily fulfilled.

It can be rather confusing, especially since sometimes, the claims made include statistics like “eight out of every 10 dentists…”, which may or may not be fully valid. Luckily, there are definitely tried-and-tested habits in terms of taking care of your dental health that cut across all the noise.

Back to Basics: Brush Your Teeth and Floss Regularly

Brushing

Brushing your teeth and flossing should be an everyday occurrence, no question. The bare minimum is brushing your teeth, done at least two times a day, for about 2 minutes. If you’re sure you can cover all your teeth’s surfaces and every part of your mouth, an electric toothbrush will not be necessary, but it can be helpful.

Timing matters when it comes to being able to effectively brush your teeth. When you’re asleep, your body does not produce as much saliva, which means there is a lot of room for bacteria to grow and thrive. In this vein, your best bet is to brush your teeth before breakfast. When you eat breakfast prior to brushing your teeth, the risk of tooth decay will increase because more acid is produced.

If, for whatever reason, you have to defer brushing your teeth until after you’ve eaten breakfast, wait half an hour to a whole hour. This is particularly key if you are consuming citric acid elements such as grapefruit or orange juice. Enamel is weakened by citric acid, so a post-breakfast brushing of your teeth may actually be more damaging than anything else.

Flossing

When it comes to flossing, once a day is enough. The timing does not matter much either, as long as it gets done. If too much dexterity is required or it’s something you just find cumbersome, look into other options like floss picks or interdental brushes.

Upgrade Your Routine: Use Mouthwash

When brushing and flossing are automatic, and they seem like child’s play, then you can look at additional things that can be done to ensure a clean and healthy mouth. Start using mouthwash. Even just a little bit swishing around in your mouth can give you an incredibly refreshing feel.

Aside from being a pick-me-up, depending on the type of mouthwash you get, a variety of benefits can be gained.

• Antiseptic mouthwash helps to lower the risk of gingivitis (gum disease), kill bacteria entirely, and reduce bad breath.
• Fluoride mouthwash gives an extra source of a chemical that is vital for the health of your teeth. Dentists usually suggest this upon spotting troubled spots during a check-up.

Conclusion

The best routine to take care of your dental health starts with brushing your teeth regularly. You should also be able to follow it consistently, along with regular check-ups. There are plenty of professional, affordable dentistry options that you can choose from to help you maintain your oral health.

Searching for a trustworthy, affordable dentist in Ann Arbor? Reach out to Dental House MI today! We are a dental practice providing a variety of services such as cosmetic dentistry, dentures, restorative dentistry, and more.