Diet, oral hygiene and your follow-up in the clinic: here are the three keys to a healthy smile. The choices we make in these matters have a direct impact on the condition of your mouth and your teeth. Regarding hygiene, there are certain rules to follow to better protect the oral structures from the various infections that threaten them. The team at Carrefour Dentaire 440 in Laval offers you here this information on the essential steps of a good routine.
Brushing your teeth
This is the most crucial step, at least the most frequent. It helps remove food residue from dental surfaces. For this reason, brushing helps control the action of bacteria that feed on this debris, especially those high in sugar, causing cavities. Brushing your teeth also helps control the accumulation of plaque, a fine bacterial deposit that forms naturally, but risks transforming into tartar and leading to periodontal disease. To make brushing more effective, it is best to respect certain parameters:
- Duration: You must go over each dental surface carefully. To do this, a minimum of two minutes is generally necessary.
- Technique: For optimal brushing, it is recommended to make small circular movements on the teeth. Avoid back and forth movements, especially horizontal ones, as they put great pressure on the gums.
- Material: Choose the toothpaste that meets your needs, making sure that it contains fluoride and has the seal of the Canadian Dental Association. As for your toothbrush, opt for soft or extra-soft bristles. Please note that a manual brush does the job very well, but an electric model may be recommended if you are prone to gum disease or have motor limitations.
- Timing: We prefer 2 to 4 brushings per day, after meals and at bedtime. Make sure to do this in the morning and evening. Wait 30 minutes after eating to give the pH of the mouth time to rebalance and thus prevent acids from penetrating the enamel.
Dental floss
This is the other essential step in the oral hygiene routine. It helps remove food debris and plaque from between the teeth and at the edge of the gums, places that are impossible to reach with a toothbrush. To increase its effectiveness, respect these parameters:
- Duration: It takes at least a minute to get between all the teeth.
- Technique: Cut a piece of silk the length of your forearm and wrap it around your middle fingers. Then use your thumbs and forefingers to enter the floss between the teeth and remove the residue with a gentle back-and-forth movement. Take the time to pass into the gap between the gum and the root.
- Material: Choose dental floss with the characteristics (thread or ribbon, waxed or not, etc.) that make it easier to use.
- Timing: It is important to floss your teeth every day, ideally at bedtime, and to do so before brushing, as the fluoride in toothpaste hardens the teeth. Additionally, the toothbrush will help remove loosened debris.
Mouthwash
Although some people use it at the end of their routine, this step is not essential. However, mouthwash can help control bacteria and thus limit the accumulation of plaque and tartar that causes gingivitis and periodontitis. However, you should know that even if it has antibacterial properties, mouthwash cannot replace brushing your teeth.
If you have further questions about your oral hygiene or doubt the effectiveness of your routine, do not hesitate to discuss them with our team during your next exam and cleaning. We will take the time to advise you so that you get the most out of it!