5 Tips to Clean Teeth
Did you know that the first toothbrush was created in 1498 in China and was made from animal hair? It’s true. Of course, the first commercially manufactured toothbrush didn’t appear on the market until 1838. Since then, dental care and oral hygiene have come a long way. However, you may still be having trouble keeping your teeth and mouth clean enough to prevent cavities and gum disease. Thankfully, our dentist at Artistic Touch Dentistry in West Melbourne has created five tips to help you improve the health of your mouth and cleaner teeth.
1. Choose Great Oral Hygiene Products
The first step to cleaner teeth is choosing the right products. Before you pick up your next tube of toothpaste, toothbrush, floss or mouthwash, look for the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval. This means that the product has been tested and inspected by the ADA, and it meets their stringent requirements for durability and effectiveness. If you have children, remember to purchase age-appropriate oral hygiene products and choose products that contain fluoride to help strengthen your child’s teeth.
2. Brush Your Teeth a Minimum of Two Times a Day
It is important to thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice a day with either a manual or electric toothbrush. Either version will work fine for cleaning your teeth, but if you have dexterity problems in your hands or are worried about stains from drinking coffee, tea, soda, and eating berries, an electric toothbrush may work better. This is because electric toothbrushes have rotating heads that help scrape away food particles, debris, and bacteria. Since the brush heads rotate and vibrate, all you have to focus on is reaching every surface of your teeth and brushing along your gum line.
If you have braces or other orthodontic appliances, you’ll also want to brush your teeth 30 minutes after eating meals and snacks. This reduces the risk of tooth decay from food that is stuck on the brackets and wires of your braces. If you wear clear aligners, you’ll have to make sure your teeth are completely clean before reinserting the aligner so that you do not accidentally bath your teeth in food particles and bacteria.
3. Floss Your Teeth Once Every 24 Hours
One of the most common places to experience tooth decay and cavities is along the sides of the teeth. In order to prevent cavities in these locations, it is important to floss your teeth at least once every 24 hours with the floss of your choice. Flossing your teeth with standard waxed floss, flossers, or dental tape removes all the food particles and plaque from between your teeth. Once you finish flossing, rinse your mouth with either water or a good mouthwash to remove any residual food particles and plaque. You can also floss your teeth before you brush.
4. Use a Tongue Scraper
When it comes to keeping your mouth clean, don’t forget to brush your tongue. The dips and crevices in your tongue can harbor bacteria and lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Many toothbrushes now contain tongue scrapers on the backside. You can also brush your tongue with your toothbrush or use a dedicated tongue scraper. If you aren’t sure which method would work best for you, our dentist can help you choose the right tongue scraping product.
5. Remember to Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash helps freshen your breath and rinses away any loose food particles, debris, and plaque. Our dentist in West Melbourne recommends using mouthwash as the last step of your brushing routine and between teeth cleaning sessions in order to maintain your oral health. When choosing an oral rinse, pick one that contains fluoride and an antiseptic. The fluoride will help strengthen your teeth, and the antiseptic will help kill additional bacteria. However, if you choose an antiseptic oral rinse, do not use it too often as it also kills the good bacteria in your mouth.
Seek A Professional for More Tips on Cleaner Teeth
To get more oral hygiene tips on cleaner teeth from our dentist, schedule your next dental checkup and teeth cleaning at Artistic Touch Dentistry and give us a call at 321-724-1400.