Oral Hygiene Tips from a Routine Dental Exam

A dental exam can be a learning experience. Routine dental checks give you a chance to tap into the knowledge that dentists accumulate during their careers. One subject that everyone should discuss with a dentist or dental hygienist is oral habits. Good oral habits are effective and inexpensive. They keep the mouth healthy and prevent a wide range of dental problems, from cavities to pulpitis to tooth loss. One aspect of good oral habits is oral hygiene.

A mouth that is free of plaque and bacterial buildup is at lower risk of coming into contact with sharp dentist’s tools. It makes sense to learn about useful oral hygiene tips that you can use every day.

Role of the dental exam in oral hygiene

Dentists recommend routine dental checkups once every six months. The first half of the dental visit involves a thorough dental exam. Dentists check for cavities, fractures, plaque buildup, tartar, and signs of gum disease. They will recommend corrective measures if they find issues that affect the teeth and/or gums.

The dentist will then clean the teeth and gums. They will also apply a topical fluoride treatment to strengthen their patient’s teeth. These routine checks ensure oral health by:

• Detecting and correcting oral health issues in their early stages
• Removing plaque and tartar
• Catching and correcting bad oral habits
• Guiding patients on good oral health habits

People who keep up with their routine dental visits run little risk of needing dental procedures that intimidate most people. Instead, the patient’s sessions in the dentist’s chair will mainly involve exams and cleaning. Here are the oral hygiene tips that help to make this aspiration a reality.

1. Brushing and flossing

Brush your teeth in the morning and at night, before bedtime. If possible, brush after every meal. It takes at least two minutes to reach all the surfaces of the teeth. When brushing, remember to gently brush the tongue and gums as well. Floss once a day, when there is time enough to do a thorough job.

Find a toothbrush that fits comfortably in the mouth. Look for one with fairly soft, flexible bristles. These two qualities help you to access and clean the furthest reaches their mouth. It bears mentioning that brushing and flossing require a gentle touch in addition to thoroughness.

Proper technique allows you to reach all the surfaces of the teeth. Make small circular motions to clean the widest surfaces of the teeth. Remember to point the bristles towards the gums at a slight angle. This technique also allows the bristles to clean in between the teeth, to an extent. 

2. How to reach the hard-to-reach places

The back molars are notoriously hard to reach and clean. This partly explains the need to brush the teeth for at least two minutes. Take time to scrub the biting surfaces of the molar. Target the base of each molar by angling the bristles towards the gums. Use the tongue to feel for plaque and target the surfaces that feel sticky.

3. Change your toothbrush every three months

Bristles bend and change with time, which causes them to become less effective. It is a good idea to change a toothbrush when the bristles wear down. This starts to happen after three months of use.

4. Other good oral habits help

Foods that are rich in sugar, carbohydrates, and acid can affect the health of the teeth and gums. They require moderation. The same goes for alcohol. Protecting the teeth from injury also helps to keep them healthy, and no amount of cleaning can reverse a fracture or break. In the same vein, the best solution for a tobacco habit is putting it away.

Take advantage of excellent preventative and corrective dental care

Reach us to find out about the first-line dental services that we offer. Our team has the experience to offer you holistic dental care that ensures your oral health in the long term. A dental exam is just one of many services you can receive at our practice.

Request an appointment here: https://whiteflintfamilydental.com or call White Flint Family Dental at (301) 273-1085 for an appointment in our Rockville office.

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