Willow Dental Toronto Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

We all know good oral hygiene is imperative for keeping our teeth and gums healthy. What we may not know is what "good oral hygiene" really means and how to make sure we have it. You almost certainly know that you should brush your teeth twice a day or more and that you should floss. What you may not know is that there is a best technique for tooth brushing and that there is more than a nice smile at steak when you decide to forego flossing.

Brushing

Brushing your teeth is important not only because it helps fight bad breath, but because it keeps down tartar and plaque buildup on your teeth and gums. (Yes, your gums are just as important as your teeth.) Brushing your teeth cannot completely remove plaque and tartar, but it can help keep them from reaching critical and destructive levels and promote good oral hygiene.

• Brush at least twice a day
• Brush your teeth thoroughly (make sure you get the back ones, too)
• Use dentist-recommended toothpaste
• Do not brush too hard – you could damage your enamel

Flossing

Flossing between your teeth is important to good oral hygiene because it removes food and build-up in the areas where they are most likely to damage the roots of your teeth and your gums through periodontal disease. Why is buildup between your teeth and on your gums bad? If you get enough buildup, it can begin to destroy the gum and bone tissue which holds your teeth in place.

• Floss at least once a day, or every time you brush your teeth
• Floss between all your teeth
• Work the floss between your teeth gently, by using a back-and-forth motion to move it down between tight-fitting teeth. (This can help protect sensitive gums.)

Dental Checkups

The last step to good oral hygiene is visiting your dentist every six months for a cleaning and a checkup. This removes the plaque and buildup that brushing and flossing cannot take care of on their own. In addition, a dentist may be able to identify problems in their early stages long before you ever get the first inklings of a toothache.

To learn more about oral hygiene or to make an appointment, please contact Willow Dental Associates today, serving Ontario in Toronto, Mississauga and the surrounding areas.