As adults, we all care about our appearance. Did you know that one of the first impressions you make is not due to the clothes you wear, your personality, or even your hair? Instead, one of the very first features everybody will notice about you is your smile. This makes the upkeep of your dental health incredibly important. Your smile plays a vital role in your self-esteem and overall attitude. Dr. David Cannon and the skilled team at Cannon Dental work with each patient in making sure they know how to care for their teeth at home. Through dental hygiene tips and instruction, every patient of Dr. Cannon’s is equipped with the tools they need to maintain their oral health. After all, unless you have a dental issue that needs to be corrected, many of us only see our dentist twice a year for an examination and cleaning. This leaves 363 days of the year where at-home oral hygiene is vital.
Your smile and overall oral health depend on your at-home dental hygiene habits, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Let us look at some tips to make sure you are caring for your teeth and gums correctly at home.
Twice Daily Brushing
When brushing your teeth, it is important not to rush it. First, make sure you are brushing twice daily and brush for around 2 minutes so that you are able to do a complete and thorough job. You do not need to brush immediately after eating, especially if you have eaten something acidic.
Proper Equipment
When brushing, use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. If manually brushing, consider an electric toothbrush as these are more effective and reducing plaque and preventing gum disease.
Correct Technique
When brushing, do so at the correct angle. Hold the toothbrush at a slight angle so that the bristles are aimed at the area where your tooth meets the gum. Gentle brushing using a circular back and forth motion is the most effective.
Flossing
When flossing, take it one tooth at a time and be gentle. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve the floss against the tooth and form a C shape as you slide the floss against the tooth to eliminate particles missed during brushing.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can properly care for your teeth and gums from home, please reach out to the team at Cannon Dental. To schedule an appointment with Dr. David Cannon, please call (801) 406-9985 today!
