4 Ways to Practice Preventative Dental Care at Home

Nobody wants to suffer from oral health problems like tooth decay, gum disease, or oral cancer. Thankfully, daily home dental care can help you maintain a healthy mouth and prevent serious oral health conditions.

We’ve outlined 4 ways you can practice preventative dental care at home.

1. Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is one of the best ways to care for your gums and teeth. Using a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, you can remove food that gets caught in your teeth and gums, preventing plaque from building up. 

For the best preventative dental care results, brush your teeth twice daily, once in the morning and once before bed. Brushing in short, gentle strokes at a 45-degree angle is the most efficient way to brush. 

You should also replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, as the bristles on your brush will become worn and won’t brush your teeth properly. 

2. Floss Your Teeth

While your toothbrush does an excellent job cleaning the surfaces of your teeth, it can’t reach every area between your teeth. This is why flossing is a great tool for your dental care routine at home. You should floss at least once daily to stimulate healthier gums, remove leftover food, reduce inflammation, and stop tartar from forming. 

3. Look After Your Tongue

When we think about dental care, we think about gums and teeth, but we can often forget our tongues. However, your tongue is integral to your mouth, so you should include it in your preventative dental care process. 

Not only can plaque build up in between your teeth, but it can also build up on your tongue. This tongue buildup can give patients bad breath or cause more serious problems. You can clean your tongue as part of your dental care routine by gently brushing your tongue twice a day.

4. Use Mouthwash 

It can be difficult to reach certain areas of your mouth with a toothbrush, so many patients choose to use mouthwash as part of their dental care. Mouthwash enables patients to clean hard-to-reach areas. 

Mouthwash rinses the gums and removes debris and plaque, preventing conditions like gum disease. It also reduces acid in the mouth and can help re-mineralize teeth. 

Visit the Dentist

While maintaining a good dental care routine at home is very important, it’s still essential for patients to visit the dentist, preferably twice a year. Regular dental visits, along with at-home dental care, keeps your mouth in good condition.

Additionally, a dental visit gives your dentist a chance to address any concerns you might have. Book an appointment today with DeSanti & Linden Dentistry for a friendly check-up.