Top Dental Hygiene Tips To Improve Your Health

Brushing your teeth is one of the many important steps in your dental care routine.

13:43 24 October 2017

Great oral health can have so many benefits ranging from improved self-confidence to better luck in job interviews and relationships. 

When it comes to finding the top London Dentist, there are plenty of factors to consider. From deciding whether to opt for private treatment or NHS treatment, to finding a local dental practice suitable for your needs, improving your health starts at home and the dentist.

 

A healthy mouth is a happy smiley one! Here are our top dental hygiene tips you can take on board to improve your health. 

 

Develop a proper brushing technique

 

You must brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. 

The proper brushing technique involves holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Then, gently move the brush back and short in short strokes over the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth. To do this, you should tilt the brush vertically and make a number of up and down strokes.

 

Brush often

 

We like to think everybody brushes their teeth at least once a day, but people simply don’t brush their teeth enough in order to keep them clean. You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day – usually once in the morning and again before bed. 

 

If you find it difficult to time the two minute mark, either set a timer on your phone or listen to a short song so standing in front of your bathroom mirror for 120 seconds doesn’t feel quite so much an effort in the early hours of the morning.

 

Choose the right toothbrush

 

A number of dental healthcare professionals agree that with so many sizes and styles of toothbrush on the market, deciding which one to buy can be a complicated matter.

For the best brushing results, you should opt for a soft-bristled brush. These are best to remove debris and plaque between the teeth. Ideally you should also choose a small-headed brush since they are able to reach areas of the mouth larger brushes can’t. 

For many people, an electric toothbrush is a great alternative to the manual brush. Not only can electric toothbrushes do a better job of cleaning your teeth, they have been proven to keep your gums healthier and tongue cleaner. 

 

Floss correctly

 

Just like the importance of brushing your teeth correctly, it is important to use the proper flossing technique so that you can effectively remove food particles that get stuck between your teeth. 

 

Using the correct flossing products helps make the process painless and easy. Without it, you are unable to completely remove hazardous dental plaque build-up. Flossing and brushing together is far more effective than just brushing alone. While brushing your teeth at least twice a day goes a long way in terms of maintaining food oral health, flossing physically removed the plague from your teeth. 

 

Care for your tooth brush

 

You don’t need to buy a special tooth brush cover to keep it clean. The ADA has warned that in fact veering your toothbrush can actually encourage need bacteria to breed which will be put inside your mouth the next time you brush. Instead of cleaning your toothbrush, simply rinse your brush with water after you use it and allow it to air dry naturally. At all costs, avoid sharing brushes with other people – including your children! Sharing a tooth brush can leave you vulnerable to all different kinds of oral and general health problems. 

 

It just as important to replace your toothbrush as it is to clean it.  Over time, the bristles of your brush will deteriorate. If you use your brush for months on end before you replace it, you may be missing out on the best results. Make it a habit to buy a new toothbrush every three or four months to keep your mouth as clean as possible.