Dentist in Wellesley MA
Dentist in Wellesley MA | Having healthy and attractive teeth is more than just about professional dental care, although it is a vital piece of the puzzle. Combined with the services of your dentist, at-home dental care is a powerful one-two punch that can stop tooth decay in its tracks and prevent gum disease from taking hold. Let’s take a look at a few ways that you can practice proper at-home dental care so that you can avoid unnecessary trips to your dentist in Wellesley MA.
Good oral health is more than about just brushing your teeth a couple of times a day. You may be letting some things go by the wayside with your regular routine, potentially endangering your oral health.
Brush the Right Way
Some people just go through the motions when it comes to brushing their teeth, quickly moving the bristles back and forth. The American Dental Association has recommendations that you should follow.
Begin by holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Move across the sides and tops of your teeth with short back and forth movements. Next, vertically align your brush and focus on short strokes on the ends of your front teeth where plaque tends to accumulate.
Correct Brushing Frequency
Most people have a regular brushing routine and schedule. But they are not really brushing their teeth enough. Make sure that you’re brushing your teeth for a minimum of two minutes, twice daily. Even if you’re in a rush to get out the door, brushing properly is an investment in your oral health that you should take the time for.
Flossing the Right Way
As with brushing your teeth, proper technique is important when you are flossing your teeth. This helps to ensure that you remove food debris and germs from between your teeth. Start out with a piece of dental floss that is about 18 inches long. You will be using a new section of dental floss on each tooth without placing bacteria onto the next tooth. Create a c-shaped motion as you floss around each tooth.
Changing Your Toothbrush
Like anything else, toothbrushes experience wear and tear over time. Occasionally, check the condition of your toothbrush, looking for frayed bristles. If you find a good many of these, purchase a new toothbrush. And buy a new one every few months regardless.
Cleaning Your Toothbrush
You really don’t need to buy any particular equipment for cleaning your toothbrush. After you have used it, rinse it thoroughly under the faucet for a few seconds. Don’t cover your toothbrush after this. Leave it with the head sticking up so that it is allowed to dry out between uses, helping prevent the growth of bacteria.
Summary
- Change your toothbrush regularly.
- Brush at least twice a day, and floss once a day.
- Let your toothbrush air dry between uses.
In addition to maintaining proper oral hygiene at home, be sure to regularly schedule dental exams and cleanings with your dentist in Wellesley MA. Contact us at (781) 894-0347 so that we can check for any dental problems that you may have missed.