At-home oral care is important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums and treating dental issues. However, many people do not practice good oral hygiene because they do not know how. This blog answers common questions about at-home oral care and dental care.

How often should I brush my teeth?

In general, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time. Brushing after meals should be part of your regular routine. You should also floss once a day to clean your teeth and remove plaque buildup. This will make sure your teeth are healthy and clean, and you may be able to prevent some tooth decay with regular flossing. Your dentist can give you more personalized recommendations based on your individual oral health needs.

Why should I floss?

Flossing can help protect the health of your smile by eliminating plaque and food particles from between teeth. This prevents tooth decay and gum disease, especially if you use mouthwash after flossing to kill germs that might be left behind on your teeth.

Plaque buildup can begin to lead to cavities or cause irritation to the gums and cause gingivitis. If left untreated, this can lead to more serious problems like tooth loss or gum recession. To prevent this from happening, make sure you are taking care of your smile at home!

How often should I floss?

Flossing is crucial to maintaining good oral health. You should floss your teeth at least once a day, preferably at night before you go to bed. Flossing helps to remove plaque and other debris from between your teeth and under your gum line. Plaque that is not removed can harden into tartar and result in serious dental health issues.

In addition to flossing daily, you should also rinse your mouth with water after meals if you are unable to brush. You should also schedule regular professional teeth cleanings and checkups with your dental hygienist every six months. These appointments are imperative to identifying early signs of gum disease, cavities, and other issues so they can be promptly treated.

How does plaque cause cavities?

Plaque is a sticky film that adheres to teeth. It is made up of food particles, saliva, and bacteria. When sugars or starches are left on teeth, the bacteria in plaque use these foods to create acids that break down tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. Cavities are holes in the teeth that develop when enough bacteria and acid break down the tooth’s enamel layer. Fillings restore the structure of a tooth that has been damaged by decay. Dental crowns can repair the damage that is more severe than a simple filling can treat. Once the cavity has formed, the decay will continue to spread if it isn’t treated. This is why consistent at-home oral care is important to help prevent cavities from forming in the first place. Brushing and flossing your teeth daily will remove plaque and help prevent tooth decay. Recurring examinations and cleanings at the dentist’s office are also necessary to maintain optimal oral health.

Is brushing and flossing my teeth enough to prevent cavities and gum disease?

Brushing your teeth twice a day is a great start, but it’s important to remember that it doesn’t replace the need for regular visits to your dentist for a professional cleaning and checkup. In addition to your at-home care, daily home care should be combined with professional cleanings and examinations every six months to foster a healthy smile.

Proper brushing takes at least two minutes per session and can be completed once in the morning and once before going to bed. Unfortunately, most people don’t always brush their teeth for the full recommended time. In fact, most dentists estimate that their patients only spend one minute or less brushing each quadrant of their mouth!

When patients come into our office for their twice-annual visit, we will perform a full examination of their teeth and gums to look for signs of tooth decay or gum disease. We can also provide patients with hands-on instruction on how to properly floss and brush for the best results. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that have built up in the hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, improving both the health and beauty of the smile.

Patients should remember to schedule their next appointment before they leave our office to maintain their regular six-month appointments for the best possible dental health. The American Dental Association recommends scheduling a visit every six months to catch any oral health concerns in their earliest stages, saving patients time and money and protecting them against more extensive procedures in the future.

To find out more about the dental services offered at One and Truly Dental, call (516)-759-0086 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 70 Glen St, #240 Glen Cove, NY, 11542.