Best Practices for Optimal Oral Hygiene

By Top.me

Look great, feel healthy and live happy with Top.me.

There’s no arguing the importance of daily oral hygiene practices, although some need to invest a little extra into our daily routine for various reasons. From tooth decay to bleeding gums, white spots of gums, and plaque build-up on the tongue, some of us need more from our oral hygiene routines.

While you can find out more about white spots on gums and how to remove them on LuminanceRed, these oral hygiene best practices will ensure your oral health is always optimal.

Brush Gently

Brushing your teeth regularly is crucial; at least twice each day is recommended. However, the biggest mistake that you can make when brushing is brushing aggressively.

Close up picture of the girl who is brushing her teeth

Unfortunately, brushing your teeth too hard will brush away the layer of protective enamel, and this can lead to painful cavities and tooth stains pretty quickly. Instead, you should switch to a soft bristle toothbrush and gently brush twice each day for at least five minutes at a time.

Cleaning Your Tongue

Plaque can quickly build up on your tongue from food particles. If you don’t clean your tongue while brushing, the plaque can build up rapidly, and this instance can even affect your ability to taste foods and beverages. You can make use of a tongue scraper or a hard bristle toothbrush to gently remove plaque build-up.

Flossing Is Crucial

If food particles and plaque build-up get trapped in your teeth, they can begin to rot and cause cavities and unsightly stains. The best to avoid this instance is to floss daily and thoroughly. Flossing will remove the build-up of food particles and plaque from between teeth effectively. Using toothpicks or your nail is not recommended.

Rinse Thoroughly With Mouthwash

Once you are finished brushing, cleaning your tongue, and flossing, the next essential step is to rinse thoroughly with a quality mouthwash. Be sure to avoid swallowing any mouthwash as it is not intended for digestion. However, it would help if you gargled the mouthwash and swish it around your mouth for about one minute to rinse thoroughly.

Consider Teeth Whitening When Necessary

If you are a smoker, a coffee lover, or a tea drinker, you likely have a few unsightly teeth stains that you are battling to get rid of. While the best approach is to cut down on these stain-causing drinks and habits, you can also consider a teeth whitening treatment at your local dentist. It is best to avoid using DIY whitening kits as you may cause damage to your gums and weaken your teeth’ protective layer of enamel.

A close picture of the girl's mouth before and after teeth whitening

There are tons of cosmetic dentistry trends out there that promise to give you the brightest, whitest smile. And while most of these professional treatments can be effective, following the best oral hygiene practices will ensure you don’t have to spend a small fortune on your smile in the long run.

The best protection against yellowing teeth and oral hygiene concerns is a suitable daily oral hygiene routine. So be sure to invest in a soft bristle toothbrush, floss, a tongue scraper, and a quality mouthwash.