Are You Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene?

Put your oral care habits to the test in Peoria and Glendale to see if you are doing a good job.

Caring for your smile shouldn’t be tricky but we understand that sometimes it’s easy for daily routines to fall flat without you ever noticing. With the New Year upon us, it’s the perfect time to consider whether or not you are doing everything you can to maintain good oral health. Our Peoria and Glendale, AZ, area family dentist, Dr. Yati Yadav, is here with some everyday things you can do to keep teeth and gums healthy.

Is Your Brushing Technique Correct?

While you might be brushing twice a day, it’s not just how often you brush but also how well you brush. Every time you brush you should always hold the brush at a 45-degree angle near the gums. Use back-and-forth motions when brushing the front of your teeth, as well as the chewing surfaces.

Point the toothbrush downward to clean the back of your teeth. Don’t forget to brush for at least 2 minutes (set a timer to make sure you are actually brushing long enough) and remember to brush your tongue, too (it harbors a lot of bad breath-causing bacteria).

Remember to Floss

Most people know that they need to brush but a lot of people think they can skip flossing. Remember, that food and plaque can also get trapped between teeth and that your toothbrush won’t be able to thoroughly clean in these tight spaces. This is only a job for floss.

Before you hem and haw about needing to floss, you only really need to do this once a day (preferably right before bed). Be generous when it comes to the amount of floss you use, since you will need to use a clean section for each tooth. Be gentle when gliding the floss up and down along the tooth to prevent damage to the gums.

Replace Your Toothbrush

Regardless of whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, they all have one thing in common: they will need to be replaced regularly. No toothbrush head is made to last forever and the normal lifespan is about three to four months. When you start to notice the bristles fraying and looking ragged then it’s time to swap it out for a new toothbrush, as old bristles can cause excessive wear on enamel.

Your Family Dentist in Peoria, AZ and serving the Glendale area is dedicated to providing quality and comprehensive dental services to patients of all ages. Whether you want to schedule your little one’s first dental appointment or talk to us about your tooth replacement options, call us today.