A survey found that 93% of Americans had plans to visit their dentist in 2021. Moreover, 72% said they’ve been paying more attention to their oral health due to the pandemic.
So if you haven’t done either yet, it’s time to schedule a checkup with a dentist ASAP.
In the meantime, you should also develop better at-home dental care habits. Otherwise, you’ll regret it if you become one of the 120 million Americans with at least one missing tooth.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. Below we’ll share the top oral hygiene and care practices you can start doing today, so keep reading.
1. Floss Daily
Researchers say there’s a link between reduced risk of decay and flossing. After all, flossing helps remove plaque and food debris between your pearly whites. Whereas unremoved or undisturbed plaque is a leading cause of tooth decay in kids and adults.
So, one of the most crucial dental care tips is to floss daily, or if you can, once in the morning and again at night. You may also want to consider flossing before brushing. Studies suggest that doing so may remove more plaque from the teeth than if you brush before you floss.
2. Use an Interdental Brush
An interdental brush is a device featuring a head with tiny bristles. Its purpose is to remove plaque and debris in the spaces between the teeth and where they meet the gums. It’s even more crucial if you have a dental bridge, as they don’t have divisions where you can insert dental floss.
3. Don’t Rush to Brush
The average person brushes their teeth for only 45 to 70 seconds. That’s 50 to 75 seconds short of the 120 seconds recommended by dental health experts. They say brushing for at least two minutes removes more plaque and debris than 45 to 70 seconds.
Moreover, when you rush to brush, you can put your gums at risk of abrasion injury. For instance, brushing too fast might cause the bristles to grind onto your gums. That can also result in gum bleeding and even a potential infection.
If you’ve noticed that your gums bleed often, it may be best to search for “dentist near me” online ASAP. Frequent bleeding, especially if accompanied by swelling, can indicate gum disease. Don’t delay getting it seen and treated, as it can lead to permanent tooth loss.
4. Properly Time After-Meal Brushing
You know brushing after every meal is a must, but were you aware that you shouldn’t do it right after eating? Waiting for at least one hour is even more crucial if you’ve had something acidic, such as orange or lemon.
Acidic food compounds can stay on the teeth for some time before your saliva washes them away. Thus, brushing right after eating such foods can cause their acids to embed deeper into the teeth. The more often this happens, the more prone your teeth can be to corrosion and decay.
Smile Dazzlingly With Proper Dental Care
And there you have it, your guide to the top at-home dental care and hygiene tips to start following ASAP. With these, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy between dentist visits. So, why not incorporate all of them into your daily habits as early as today?
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