Daily Hygiene Techniques: Show Some Love for Your Teeth

February is the month for love, and it’s a great month to remember to give your teeth some love. Dr. Garcia has some tips to help you make the most out of your daily dental hygiene routine:

1. Proper Brushing Technique

You may not think so, but there really is a technique to getting the most out of your daily brushings. Here are the steps to take:

• Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Tilt the brush toward the gum at a 45-degree angle, which allows the bristles to clean just under the gumline.
• Brush gently and slowly in small circular movements. Focus on one tooth at a time.
• Make sure you brush the inside, outside and biting surfaces of each tooth
• Don’t forget to brush your tongue gently!

Brushing this way for two minutes, twice a day (2X2) will help you get the most out of brushing.

2.Proper Flossing Technique

Flossing is an important part of your daily dental hygiene routine. The best way to floss:

• Wind a long piece of thread around your fingers and thumbs (make sure the thread is taut).
• Gently slide the thread between your teeth.
• Press down, then hold the floss against the surface of one of the teeth and pull it up. Repeat this with the second tooth.
• Before bringing the floss out of the gap, bring the sides of the floss against the outsides of the tooth and pull it up to get to the plaque hiding there
• Use a new length of thread for each gap
• Don’t forget to floss the back surfaces of the very back teeth

Flossing once a day in the evening before you brush will help you get rid of hard-to-reach plaque buildup.

3. Mouthwash?

Using mouthwash isn’t as important as daily brushing and flossing (and certainly does not take the place of them), but mouthwash can be a good addition to your daily hygiene routine. Mouthwash can act as an antimicrobial, which can help prevent tooth decay and cavities. Mouthwash is especially important for people with diabetes because of their heightened risk for gum disease.Rinse with mouthwash for 30 seconds after brushing.

4. Regular Checkups

Regular checkups with your dentist are an important part of your dental hygiene routine. Your dentist will help you clean the plaque buildup from your teeth that you may have missed, and will check to make sure all of your teeth are healthy. They’ll also be able to spot a small problem before it becomes larger, and help you with proper hygiene technique.You can also call Dr. Garcia to find out which toothpastes and mouthwashes he recommends!When you give your teeth daily TLC, they’ll thank you by staying beautiful and healthy.  And when you’re ready for your regular checkup, contact Dr. Garcia for experienced and gentle dentistry in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

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