Studies show that only about half of American adults are practicing basic oral hygiene habits each day. An oral hygiene routine is vital to keeping your teeth from decaying.  Achieving a healthy mouth and teeth to last your lifetime should be a goal for everyone, however, it is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

A healthy mouth requires consistent, ongoing care, from childhood and into your final years of life. It’s crucial to take the right steps every day so you can avoid problems. Think of a fine-tuned athlete–he or she did not “land” a body that is fit and trim. It takes daily exercise, self-control and discipline to achieve good physical fitness. The same goes for our teeth. Having a healthy mouth involves establishing a good routine that works for you on a daily basis. The following are some basic elements to “fine tune” a good healthy routine that will keep the cavities away and keep your mouth “fit”.

Gently Brush Your Teeth with Fluoride Toothpaste 

To brush properly, use a soft bristled toothbrush and gently brush with fluoride toothpaste. If you are too assertive, you can damage your gums, and tooth enamel.  The American Dental Association (ADA) has some guidelines to help you achieve a 2-minute brushing routine. Just as an athlete will not get fit with a wimpy effort, your teeth can’t be properly cleaned with a 30-second once over.  Here are some specifics on how to brush properly from the ADA.

Wait 30 minutes after you’ve finished eating to brush your teeth. That may go against what you have always been taught, but brushing your teeth right after eating certain foods can damage tooth enamel.  According to the Mayo Clinic, if you’ve eaten anything that is acidic, you should avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes.  Why? Foods containing citric acid, such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, etc., weaken tooth enamel. If you’ve eaten pizza and washed it down with a soft drink, wait. The acids from the tomato-based pizza sauce along with the soft drinks, juice, energy drinks, etc., have the same damaging effect on your teeth. Brushing too soon after eating acidic foods can damage the enamel in its already weakened state.

So, what about the acids that are just sitting in your mouth for 30 minutes after you finish eating? Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and swish it back and forth to eliminate food that may be stuck in your teeth. The water will also dilute the acids until it’s safe to brush them without damaging them. This is good advice for in-between-meal snacks as well.

Flossing is a Vital Part of Taking Care of Your Teeth and Gums 

Throughout the day, debris from the foods you eat accumulates in between your teeth and gums. Plaque and debris buildup–along with bacteria–contribute to erosion of the teeth resulting in cavities, especially if left on the teeth for prolonged periods of time.

Brushing your teeth only removes the plaque on the flat surfaces of the teeth. When you floss you remove the rest of the plaque in between the teeth. A toothbrush can’t reach those areas and if you rely on it only, you will be more prone to cavities.

Flossing your teeth should occur once a day, with the best time of day being after brushing at night before you go to bed. Flossing before bed prevents plaque and bacteria from lingering in your mouth overnight.

Don’t Neglect Brushing Your Tongue

You may be brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, but if you aren’t also brushing your tongue, you are leaving bacteria on the surface of your tongue where it can spread to those clean surfaces. There are more than 700 different bacterial species that live in the mouth. Not all of these germs are harmful, but when the bad ones are left to multiply on the surface of the tongue, they can cause some real problems.

Bacteria buildup on your tongue can spread to your teeth causing gingivitis.  If not treated, gingivitis can develop into periodontal disease, which eventually can cause your teeth to fall out. The chronic inflammation caused by periodontal disease is a real concern as it is linked to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and miscarriage.

The proper way to brush your tongue is to dab a small bit of toothpaste on your tongue and brush back and forth, then brush side to side. Rinse your mouth with water afterwards. Be careful not to over brush, though. You don’t want to break the tongue skin! 

Brushing and flossing are the basis of a good oral health routine, but there are other things you can do to make sure your mouth and teeth stay healthy and clean–read on!

Mouthwash is More Than a Refresher for Your Mouth

A swish of mouthwash refreshes your mouth, but has benefits besides fresh breath. Consider the following benefits: 

• Antiseptic mouthwash kills bacteria, helping to eliminate bad breath and prevent gingivitis.
• Fluoride mouthwash provides an additional source of fluoride. If you use fluoride toothpaste, and drink tap water containing fluoride, check with your dentist to see if additional fluoride is necessary.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly for Check-ups/Cleanings

One key factor to having a good oral hygiene routine is to understand what your oral health needs are. Regular dental check-ups every six months is the way to accomplish that feat. Give our office a call at 208-546-0655 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shane S. Porter, at Premier Dentistry of Eagle.

One of the most important aspects of the dental checkup is a thorough cleaning of your teeth, gums and mouth. Try as you might, there are areas in your mouth that need a professional cleaning. Dr. Porter has the skill and knowledge you need to improve your oral health! 

Remember, the best routine is the one you’re able to follow consistently.  Like the fine-tuned athlete, if you put the time into your oral health routine your mouth and teeth will be FIT!  

Premier Dentistry of Eagle is located at 467 South Rivershore Lane in Eagle, and proudly serves Star, Middleton, Meridian, Garden City, and the greater Eagle and Boise, Idaho communities. Contact Dr. Porter for more information on an oral health routine that works for you. He wants to help you succeed in achieving a good oral hygiene routine that will give you a healthy mouth, and beautiful smile.