Oral Hygiene

While we are always here to help you here at Van Alstine Family Dentistry, we know that a large part of the care that your teeth require comes from your home too. Taking care of your teeth whenever possible largely centers on keeping them clean and strong. Making sure that you have a strong oral hygiene routine is incredibly important. We would be more than happy to help you to develop the perfect routine to suit your individual needs and health goals. Give us a call to do just that today.

Importance Of Oral Hygiene

There are a wide variety of health complications that come alongside poor oral hygiene. These issues also do not stop at your mouth. Not regularly cleaning your mouth can lead to excessive plaque build-up, gum disease and infection, and decayed teeth. Each of these complications can carry further complications, such as gum disease’s link to diabetes, strokes, and heart disease. Negligence in the field of oral hygiene can lead to serious and painful problems down the line. These problems become more difficult to repair and more widespread as time goes on, and it is important to nip them in the bud before it gets to that point.

Best Oral Hygiene Routines

While each may have different areas that they need to focus on due to pre-existing conditions or oral damage, there are some general rules of thumb that are sure to benefit your mouth. The first is brushing. Brushing your teeth is the most important staple of your daily oral hygiene routine. We advise that you do so at least two times a day. Each brushing should be about two minutes, with thirty seconds being spent on each quadrant of your mouth. One of these should be immediately before bed when the bacterium in your mouth is the most active. This is when they will do the most harm and when the plaque solidifies into tartar and calculus.

The next step is flossing. This should be done at least once a day. It helps you to get food that is stuck between your teeth and to prevent bacteria from collecting there. These are areas that your brush simply does not get to as easily. It also helps to remove plaque your brush cannot reach. Mouthwash is another important step. This gets into every crack and crevice of your mouth, loosening and dispelling remaining food and plaque. Many rinses also contain fluoride, which is necessary to strengthen and protect your teeth.

You should also eat healthy foods that will strengthen your teeth, such as apples. Avoid harmful habits, such as smoking. These discolor your teeth and also lead to decay. Finally, be sure to come into our office regularly for a cleaning and a check-up. We will be able to give you that deep fresh feeling as we get rid of all of the last bits of plaque and bacteria.

Van Alstine Family Dentistry wants you looking and feeling your best. Making the decision to actively care for your teeth in and out of our office is a big step, but essential. Give us a call today to set up an individualized hygiene plan for you and your needs.