THE IDEAL DAILY DENTAL CARE ROUTINE

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CRAFTING YOUR DAILY DENTAL CARE ROUTINE

CHOOSING YOUR TOOTHBRUSH

Though it may seem like harder toothbrushes are ideal because they can remove more plaque, the softer the brush the better for a few reasons. Softer brushes are easier on enamel and are less likely to cause damage to your gums which are very sensitive. For children, it is ideal to get a brush that is extra soft to protect both the teeth and the gums from daily brushing. For adults, soft to medium is recommended with soft being the most common option. Soft brushes still remove plaque and food particles as long as you use them properly. The real key is the duration of brushing when it comes to the removal of things like plaque and grime. Softer brushes are going to be easier on your gums as well helping to prevent gum disease and the receding of gums based on daily wear from brushing. Another factor to consider is the size of the brush head. Though a larger brush may seem like a better option as it can brush more teeth at once, a smaller brush head is going to be able to get into the crevices of your mouth and really keep them clean. Smaller brush heads can get into hard to reach spaces like your wisdom teeth if they have not been removed and the cheek side of your teeth. You may also want to consider brushes that have built in tongue cleaners or textured heads on the back to help remove build up from the cheek as you brush.

TYPES OF TOOTHPASTE

Toothpaste is another important factor to consider. Those that are flecked with blue specs often contain small bits of plastic that can become embedded in the gums and cause irritation. Opt for paste or gel that is free of any particulates or any “cleaning” beads of additives that claim to clean your teeth better. If you are looking for something that is going to remove added dirt and grime go for a toothpaste that has baking soda as the baking soda will react with your saliva to help remove dirt and food particles from the teeth. Another thing to keep in mind is whitening toothpaste. This is not for everyone and it is recommended that children do not use toothpaste that is meant to whiten the teeth. If you are using a whitening toothpaste, look for one that also has enamel building properties and that has fluoride for cavity protection. For children five years of age and older, fluoride toothpaste is a necessity for healthy tooth growth. For adults, all in one toothpaste are nice as they can help remove stains while they build up enamel and help strengthen teeth.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BRUSH

It is recommended that you brush every time you eat to remove the food particles that build up in the deep grooves of teeth. For some, brushing after every meal is easy and is not really all that big of a deal, for others, brushing after every meal may not be something that is possible. For those that cannot brush after every meal, it is recommended that you brush twice a day. Once in the morning after waking to remove any build-up that may have accumulated over night and once at night to remove food particles and other debris that can lead to cavities and other dental health issues. If you cannot brush twice a day it is recommended that at the very least, you brush once a day to remove food and other particulates from teeth. If you do not brush more than once a day, using a mouth rinse may be a good call to help remove any bacteria that build up in the mouth.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU FLOSS

It is again recommended that you floss after every meal to remove the particles of food that build up between teeth and that can lead to cavities. The reality is however that most people do not floss after every meal let alone every day. If you cannot floss after every meal it is recommended that you floss at least once a day. It is best to floss at night before you go to sleep so that all food and other particulates are gone when you sleep. A good dental health routine can make a world of difference in how your teeth and mouth both look and feel. Finding the right toothbrush and toothpaste are the first step to a good routine. After you find the brush and paste, just decide what is a good schedule for you to get the most out of brushing and flossing.