Why take care of your mouth?

The health of our mouth plays a large role in maintaining overall well-being and quality of life. The importance of dental health cannot be overstated, as it directly affects various aspects of our daily functioning. A healthy mouth allows us to chew our food effectively, promoting proper digestion and nutrient absorption. A healthy mouth allows us to speak clearly and effectively, influencing our communication with others and boosting self-confidence. In addition, good dental hygiene contributes to preventing severe issues like gum disease(periodontitis) and cavities. By creating a consistent oral care routine, individuals can minimize the risk of infections and painful conditions, preserving their natural teeth for a lifetime.

Neglecting oral care can have consequences for both oral health and well-being. Without proper dental hygiene, plaque builds up on the teeth along the gumline, leading to calcification and tartar and the start of gum disease. These conditions cause discomfort, pain, and, if left untreated, can result in loss of teeth. Beyond the physical implications, neglected oral health can also affect a person’s confidence and social interactions. Research has shown that poor oral health is associated with an increased risk of systemic health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Poor oral care can, therefore, have far-reaching consequences beyond the mouth, highlighting the importance of maintaining a proper dental hygiene routine.

Daily Oral Care Routine

Brushing

It is currently recommended by dentists to brush twice a day for two minutes with proper technique. We refer to the Modified Bass method as proper brushing. The Modified Bass technique is to angle the bristles of a manual toothbrush at 45 degrees to the gums and brush in a gentle circular motion making sure to touch the buccal(cheek side) and lingual(tongue side) as well as the biting surface of every tooth. It is important to avoid side to side and aggressive brushing to prevent excessive wear of the enamel. Using this technique, you can safely remove plaque and bacteria while preserving tooth structure.

Flossing

Flossing is still recommended as daily basic care for oral hygiene. It is the best way to clean in between teeth. Toothbrush bristles do not effectively clean in between teeth. To floss correctly, use a piece that is about 2 feet long. Long enough to wrap it around your hands to get a nice firm and controlled grip. Pinch the floss between your thumb and forefinger with about one to two inches of floss between your hands. Push the floss between the contact of the teeth popping all the way through. Slide the floss across each surface of the contacting teeth with a C shape all the way down into the gums. Move the floss up and down to scrub the interproximal surfaces. We recommend flossing once per day to keep the gums healthy.

Mouthwash

Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash is a nice addition to brushing and flossing but is not as essential. Focus on mastering the first two and you will have very good oral health. Mouthwash helps reduce the overall bacteria load in the mouth. Preferably use a rinse that doesn’t include alcohol.

Choosing Your Oral Hygiene Products

There is an overwhelming number of toothbrushes, toothpastes, mouthrinses, floss, and other oral healthcare products available. It seems like every year there is a new 9 out of 10 dentist recommended toothpaste that is supposed to whiten your teeth while preventing gingivitis and cavities. To be effective in your oral hygiene recommend just focusing on the basics. Search for a soft bristled toothbrush and change it out whenever the bristles become bent and frayed. You should expect to replace your toothbrush about every 3 to 4 months. For toothpaste, we currently recommend a fluoride containing toothpaste as it helps strengthen and remineralize enamel. It is a safe bet to use a toothpaste with an ADA recommendation label on it. Some toothpastes have a desensitizing agent like Sensodyne which can help if you are experiencing any sensitivity, but consider seeing a dentist regarding the sensitivity in case it is caused by a cavity or other problems.