Visiting our dentist in Richmond on a regular basis is one of the best ways to give your mouth the attention it rightly deserves. There are often gaps left in in-home oral care that puts the dental health of patients at risk and only a dentist in Richmond can cover these deficiencies.
How can a patient ensure a more thorough clean and better dental health? Our dentist in Richmond offers a few best practice techniques to keep teeth and gums in optimal condition.
In-home dentist-approved oral care tips
Patients wanting to take their oral hygiene routines to the next level are advised to factor in the following:
Adhere to proper brushing etiquette
Our dentist will demonstrate effective ways to clean your teeth and gums from how to correctly hold a toothbrush to the best angle that will ensure the removal of trapped food particles. A quick brush over teeth is insufficient to clean the mouth properly; instead a dental practitioner suggests a minimum of two minutes of brushing.
Use the right type of toothbrush
Picking the right type of toothbrush requires knowing which type is best suited to your teeth and gums as there is no one-size-fits-all toothbrush. Some patients require softer bristles that are designed to be gentler on gums.
When seeking the guidance of a dentist on which toothbrush to use, it is also a good opportunity to also ask about a toothpaste brand that will cover your needs (concentrated fluoride formula, freshen breath, protect gums, whiten teeth).
Toothbrushes should be changed at regular intervals
We advise patients to not extend the use of a toothbrush for longer than a few months as bristle quality and effective cleaning is impacted over time.
Don’t neglect your tongue
While many patients know to brush their teeth, many others are surprised to hear that the tongue is another common area where bacteria causing bad breath can flourish, which is why we include tongue scraping on our list of in-home dental hygiene regimen.
Implement teeth-protective habits
Teeth should not only be cleaned but protected too. There are various ways of going about this from avoiding hard and sticky food substances that are known for damaging tooth enamel to wearing mouth guards when participating in certain activities and sports events. We also caution against using teeth for any other purpose - like opening bottles, tearing strips of cello tape, removing staples, etc.- than for which it is naturally intended.
In the eventuality of having a tooth knocked out, it is strongly advised to seek proper dental attention as quickly as possible or take the necessary steps that will save the tooth.
Only by learning about how bacteria accumulate in the mouth and where they are known to flourish, that patients will be better equipped to take care of their oral health. Keep your mouth cavity-free by scheduling a dental check-up with our experienced dentist at Sheen Dental Clinic. We are a one-stop dental practice staffed by a well-trained team of dental professionals specialised in preventive, general, restorative, and emergency dental care.