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3 Techniques For a Superior Oral Hygiene Routine

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family brushing their teethAre you passionate about maintaining the best oral hygiene routine so you can ward off lingering problems like cavities? Even if you’re diligent about brushing and flossing every day, the techniques you use ultimately determine how much bacteria and plaque you remove from your mouth. To avoid emergency visits to your family dentist in Rocky Hill, you can tweak your hygiene routine to be more effective than ever. Read on to learn three techniques and tips that can protect your mouth against harmful bacteria and plaque.

Brushing that Busts Plaque

Every night and morning, the American Dental Association recommends brushing for at least two minutes. It helps remove any plaque and food debris buildup that has attached itself to your teeth throughout the day to prevent the development of cavities and gum disease. For the best brushing:

  1. Angle your toothbrush at 45 degrees and move it in circular strokes across the entire visible surface area of your teeth.
  2. Be sure to brush the inside portion of your front teeth by angling your toothbrush vertically.
  3. Because your toothbrush is only wide enough to clean one or two teeth at a time, move it across each individual tooth.
  4. Watch yourself in the mirror to ensure you’re using the proper motions.
  5. When your two-minute timer goes off, brush your tongue.

Flossing for Fabulous Teeth

It can be tempting to skip out on flossing every now and then, but that would be a mistake. It helps prevent cavities from developing and removes food debris that can attract bacteria. If you haven’t flossed in a while, you may notice some bleeding or soreness. There’s no need to worry though. After a week, your teeth and gums will get used to it. Here’s the best technique for flossing:

  1. Start off with 15 to 18 inches of dental floss wound around one of your middle fingers, the rest around your other.
  2. Holding it with an inch between your hands, gently slide it between your teeth with a gentle rocking motion.
  3. When it hits your gumline, curve it into a “C” shape against the side of your tooth.
  4. Repeat until you’ve flossed between all of your teeth.

Antibacterial Mouthwash for a Fresh Finish

Using a mouthwash every night can help kill any bacteria and minimize morning breath once you wake up. Because this seems like such a simple task, the proper technique is often overlooked. On the bottle, you’ll notice that the lid is a measuring cup of sorts. Pour anywhere from 2 to 4 teaspoons of the wash into it, depending on the strength of freshness you’d like. Swish it around your mouth for a full 30 seconds and gargle it in the back of your throat. Lastly, spit all of the wash into the sink. You’ll be able to enjoy a fresh-feeling mouth free of stinky bacteria. If regular rinse is too strong for you, try using an alcohol-free one.

If you’re wondering exactly how effective your morning and nightly oral hygiene routine are, ask your dentist at your next checkup and cleaning. They’ll be able to alert you to any nooks and crannies that you may have been missing as well as give you additional tips if necessary!

About the Author

Dr. Thaddeus Michalski has been practicing dentistry since 2001. He is passionate about treating patients of all ages and offers a wide range of services for both children and adults. He focuses on preventive treatment to tackle small problems before they progress into something more serious. He completed a residency in general dentistry to sharpen his skills and advance his knowledge at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. For questions or to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning, visit his website or call 860-563-4544.