Celebrate Dental Hygiene Month 2021
Good oral hygiene is vital if you want to keep a happy and healthy smile. It’s the small habits in our everyday routine that determine our health. With the research and technology we have today, we know that smiles can last a lifetime if we take care of them. In honor of celebrating Dental Hygiene Month this October, our OG Dental team has put together the following dental hygiene tips. We hope you and your family add these oral health tips to your daily routine.
Brush Well for Your Oral Wellbeing
As you may know, oral health starts with clean teeth. In order to avoid cavities and other serious dental problems, the best dentist in Denver, CO, recommends that you follow these necessary steps when brushing your teeth.
- You need to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Take your time when you brush your teeth. Brush for a minimum of two minutes twice a day. If you can’t seem to make it to two minutes, sing the ABCs three times. Dr. O’Grady recommends that you wait 30 minutes after each meal to brush your teeth.
- Use proper tools and equipment while brushing your teeth. As you brush, use fluoride toothpaste approved by your dentist in Denver, CO, and a soft-bristled toothbrush. If you don’t enjoy brushing your teeth with a standard toothbrush, try using an electric-operated toothbrush. These electric toothbrushes are beneficial if you have arthritis or other difficulties that make it challenging for you when brushing.
- Practice Good Brushing Techniques. Your toothbrush should always be held at a slight angle as you aim the bristles towards the region where your gum and teeth meet. Dr. Kristina Neda, a family dentist in Georgetown, KY, says brushing should be done as you also use a circular back-and-forth movement in brushing your teeth. As you brush, you should not use hard bristles as they may be detrimental to your gums. While you clean outside of your teeth, don’t forget to brush the chewing surfaces, the inside part, and your tongue for at least two minutes.
- Keep your brush clean all the time. After you are done with brushing your teeth, ensure you wash your brush properly with clean water. Same-day dentists in Denver Highlands strongly suggest that you store your brush in an upright position and allow it air-dry before using it again. As you store your brush, you should not mix it with other brushes, which may lead to cross-contamination. You should not store your brush in covered containers as it may encourage the growth of yeast, mold, and bacteria, which are dangerous to your oral health.
- Replace your toothbrush accordingly. OG Dental recommends that your brush should be replaced every three months. You may also consider replacing it before three months when the bristles become worn out.
How to Floss for Your Oral Health
As you brush daily, the tight spaces between your teeth are not always reached by the brush. This is a good reason why you should also floss your teeth. Flossing daily is right for your health; it is essential, but do it properly as the best dentist in Denver, CO advises:
- It would help if you avoided skimping. You need to break off about 46 centimeters of your dental floss. As you wind most of the floss on the middle finger of one hand, and the rest around the middle finger of the other hand, hold the floss tightly between your forefingers and your thumb.
- Take on one tooth at a time. It would be best if you always slid the floss into the gaps between your gums and tooth. Use your floss to slowly rub the sides of the teeth in an upward and downward motion. As you unwind, the unused floss continues doing the same with other teeth.
- Always be gentle. It would be best if you directed your floss between your teeth using a scrubbing movement. Be careful not to snap the floss into your gums. When your floss reaches the gum line, curve it against one tooth to avoid hurting your gums.
Additional Oral Care Tips From Your Denver Dentist
Besides daily brushing and flossing, you should also consider using a mouthwash containing fluoride to maintain your oral health. Dr. O’Grady recommends using ADA-approved mouthwash. Also, you should avoid using toothpicks and other hard objects that could injure your gums.
At What Time Do You Need to See a Dentist?
Visit the best dentist in Denver, CO, regularly. If you have the following signs, don’t hesitate to call your emergency dentist in Denver Highlands for advice:
- If you have swollen and tender gums
- Having loose permanent teeth
- If you are experiencing painful chewing
Remember to visit OG Dental in Denver, CO if you have any questions or experience dental problems. Our team of trained professionals is always happy to help you with your oral health. For those without dental insurance, please check out our Dental Savings Plan.
Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2020 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
