How to keep on top of your dental hygiene

You’re no doubt well aware of the importance of personal hygiene – bathing frequently, washing your hair, and, of course, washing your hands – but a huge element of this is keeping up with your dental hygiene. Poor dental hygiene can result in undesirable consequences such as bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. These conditions, as well as being painful, can make you unpleasant to be around for other people, so it is important that you look after your teeth. Here are some tips on how to keep on top of your dental hygiene.

Brush your teeth twice a day
It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day – in the morning when you get up and before you go to bed at night. Whilst many people brush with a vigorous sawing motion, this can actually damage your teeth and gums, wearing down the enamel and causing receding gums. The most effective way of brushing your teeth is to use a gentle, circular motion on each tooth to massage and clean the teeth and gums. Though electric toothbrushes are specifically designed to achieve this action, you can still get great results with a manual toothbrush. Choose one with soft bristles and a small head; you could even use a child’s toothbrush.

Floss once a day
In addition to brushing, you should also make sure that you get into the habit of flossing at least once a day. This is an important step in your dental hygiene routine as the dental floss can remove plaque and food detritus from the cracks and crevices in between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. Be careful when you floss, gently sliding the floss up and down around the curve of the tooth; being too rough can lead to cut and swollen gums. 

Have dental check-ups every six months
It is important that you have regular dental check-ups a least every six months to ensure that your mouth stays healthy. Your dentist will be able to identify any issues, such as developing cavities, and quickly deal with the problem – if left unchecked for a long period, dental problems can soon deteriorate, harming the integrity of the entire mouth and even resulting in the extraction of several teeth. Your dentist can also advise you of other cosmetic procedures that you might be interested in having, such as tooth whitening and veneers. Visit www.enhanceddentalstudios.com.au for more information about the specific dental services available.

Replace amalgam fillings with white fillings
If you have had a filling to fix a cavity in the past, the chances are that it was done using amalgam, a silver-toned material made using a mixture of metals. While effective, amalgam fillings can be unsightly and could make you feel self-conscious when speaking or laughing. You could consider replacing your amalgam fillings with new white fillings to give a fresher, more natural look, particularly if your filling is on a visible front tooth.