Keeping your smile bright and beautiful doesn’t have to be difficult. All you need are a few simple tools and the right techniques. However, just like many other simple things, every step matters. The right equipment and the proper routines will ensure your smile stays just the way you like it.
The five items you need to maintain healthy teeth are a toothbrush, toothpaste, antibacterial mouthwash, dental floss, and a tongue scraper. What you really need to go along with that, though, is a daily routine for cleaning your teeth in the correct way.
Brushing Your Teeth and Choosing Your Toothpaste
Most dentists recommend a soft toothbrush to clean your teeth and gums. This is because bristles that are too firm or hard might wear down the enamel. Your toothbrush should also be rinsed, cleaned, and stored with clear plastic cover over bristles. Do not leave it in the open to the dust and other particles floating in the air.
You can actually start the brushing routine by rinsing your mouth with clean, fresh water. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the bristles and brush your teeth in a circular motion for each tooth, front and back. Brush along the gum line and rinse with water after finishing.
As you do this, keep the toothbrush tilted at a 45 degree angle. Brush the outside, inside, and sides completely. Remember to brush your tongue, too, since this will help to kill any bad breath.
You should choose toothpaste with fluoride to help protect your teeth from decay. If you have excessive tartar, then you may also need toothpaste that was specially formulated for tartar control. However, there are some other things to consider when you choose a toothpaste for children. Since there is a possibility that they’ll swallow the past, it’s best to avoid the fluoridated types and go with one that is made specifically for kids.
There are several teeth whitening toothpastes on the market that contain ingredients like baking soda and peroxide. While none of these products can match the level of whitening you’d get from a professional treatment, they can help polish up your smile.
Flossing
Daily flossing removes food and particles where a toothbrush often cannot reach. The primary type of floss is nylon, and it comes in waxed and un-waxed options. Nylon floss is good quality but often shreds because it is made up of many strands. PTFE known as mono-filament floss is more expensive. It is easier to use and seldom shreds.
Start with about 18 inches of floss and wind the floss around the middle fingers of both hands but leave a few inches between them to work with.
Now hold the floss between your thumb and index finger. Slide the floss up and down between each tooth. Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth. Make sure you get them all, and make sure you get below the gum line.
Mouthwash, Tongue Scrapers, and Teeth Whitening
Using an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing is important to kill bacteria in those hard-to-reach areas. That is why rinsing with mouthwash is an important part of good dental hygiene. It is also a good way to prevent bad breath, and some will even have whitening agents.
Recently, tongue scrapers have become popular with consumers. This is because scraping the tongue removes food particles, bacteria, and dead cells that try to make their home there. However, it can also help maintain healthy teeth.
Tongue cleaners improve help with bad breath often caused by bacteria and plague. When using them be gentle and do not press too hard. Scrape all areas of the tongue and go back as far as you can.
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available. Most patients will see a significant difference in the brightness of their teeth after a single visit, though sometimes we may recommend a product to use at home to enhance the results.
Teeth whitening removes stains from teeth caused by aging, tobacco, and eating or drinking certain foods and drinks. This procedure is very effective because the whitening agent is extremely strong. So strong, in fact, that you can’t buy it over the counter because it could be harmful if applied incorrectly. You need a pro to do it correctly and safely.
If you follow these simple and straightforward steps, you can maintain your bright and youthful smile for years. Maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult, it just has to be done.