Preventative Dental Care: Important Oral Hygiene Daily Routines

Oral hygiene is a vital part of your preventative dental care. Achieving and maintaining good oral hygiene can be difficult, but the effort pays off in the form of healthier teeth and gums and reducing tooth decay. In this article, we'll discuss how to maintain good oral health through daily routines that help keep your mouth clean and healthy!

What is oral hygiene?

Oral hygiene is a term that refers to the process of keeping your mouth clean and free from disease-causing bacteria, food particles, plaque buildups, and other substances. Good oral hygiene is effective in preventing tooth decay, gum disease as well as bad breath! The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing once per day, and visiting the dentist for regular checkups.

Brush daily

Start by brushing your teeth twice a day. You can brush in the morning and at night before bed, or you could do one in the morning and then right before dinner if that's easier for your schedule. Use fluoride toothpaste to promote optimal oral health! Make sure to brush all areas of your mouth - including behind both upper and lower teeth. Brush the inside and outside of your teeth, all along your gum line, and even on top of your tongue.

Floss daily

Dental floss is another great way to clean in between each tooth. Flossing can be done anytime during the day - right before brushing or after dinner, for example. It's essential to choose an appropriate flossing tool for your teeth. Floss threaders are usually the best bet because they're easy to use and reach all areas of your mouth!

Practice healthy eating habits

Eating a healthy diet is vital for your overall health, but it's also essential to good oral care. Avoid sugary foods and drinks as much as possible since bacteria feed off sugar! It can be challenging to avoid all the food you crave - especially if they are favorites of yours - so instead, try limiting them throughout the day or choose a healthier alternative to your favorite dessert.

Visit the dentist regularly

Good oral hygiene alone can't prevent all problems, so make sure to visit your dentist regularly for checkups. Your dentist will be able to tell you how often is appropriate based on your individual needs. They'll also assess any plaque buildups or tooth decay that may have occurred since the last time they saw you!

Oral hygiene daily routine example

The following are daily preventative dental care practices to ensure optimal mouth health. You should perform these steps in order after eating or drinking anything besides water (e.g., coffee, soda, juice, etc.)

Morning routine

Brush your teeth with ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste for two minutes. Floss once per day. Rinse and gargle using mouthwash that contains fluoride twice each day. Perform the tongue scraping technique (you can find instructions online).

Afternoon/evening routine

Brush your teeth with ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste for two minutes. Floss once per day. Rinse and gargle using mouthwash that contains fluoride twice each day. Perform the tongue scraping technique (you can find instructions online).