The best way to prevent oral health issues at home is to embrace a routine of brushing and attending regular dentist appointments. If you’re looking for ways to improve your oral hygiene and ensure you’re doing everything in your power to keep your smile bright, here are a few do’s and don’ts for brushing.

Do:

Brush at least twice a day.

From your very first visit to the family dentist, you’ll be reminded to brush every morning when you wake up and every night before you go to bed. By brushing at least twice a day, you’ll remove food particles and harmful acid and sugars that can lead to tooth decay and other oral health issues. For a bonus, try to brush after lunch when possible. 

Switch your brush every three months.

Bacteria can start to build up on your toothbrush bristles, even if you store it properly in your bathroom. Plus, a worn out brush won’t be able to clean your teeth as well. With this in mind, dentists recommend swapping your toothbrush every three months. 

Don’t:

Brush too hard.

A proper brushing doesn’t require aggressive strokes with a hard-bristle brush. In fact, being too rough can wear down your enamel and result in receding gums. Instead, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gumline and move the head in gentle circular motions across every surface. The process should take about two minutes in total and will prevent decay and enamel damage and relieve tooth sensitivity. 

Ignore recommendations from your family dentist.

While a healthy oral care routine at home reduces the likelihood of tooth decay, dental problems, and plaque or tartar buildup, it’s important to schedule a professional cleaning appointment with your dentist every six months. This way, they can tackle plaque in hard-to-reach places, evaluate your oral health, and provide brushing recommendations if they notice areas that need more attention. 

The Dental Clinic of Onalaska provides friendly, comprehensive dental care to the Onalaska, WI, community. If you’re looking for a family dentist that takes the time to work with each patient one-on-one to achieve optimal oral health, call their office today at (608) 783-3341 for the clinic in Onalaska or (608) 534-6195 for their secondary location in Trempealeau. For additional patient resources, visit their website.