Performing an efficient oral care routine is vital in ensuring the teeth and gums are kept healthy and clean. This routine should consist of both brushing, using mouthwash and interdental care.
Brushing
It is the single most important part of the daily oral care routine to remove plaque from the teeth twice a day. By brushing routinely, food debris is removed, and the biofilm is disrupted, preventing any build up of plaque or tartar. Whether you prefer to use a manual or electric toothbrush, it is still important to ensure you are spending 2 minutes, twice a day to brush the teeth, working systematically from one quadrant of the mouth to the next, cleaning all tooth surfaces as you go along.
If using a manual toothbrush, the quality of the bristles helps to ensure a deeper clean. Typically, a brush with medium bristles and a smaller head is ideal for most people as it provides improved access to all areas of the mouth.
When using an electric toothbrush, a pressure sensor brush head is recommended to prevent any potential over-aggressive brushing which can cause damage to the gums and enamel. It is also important to replace the brush head once the bristles are no longer upright and are beginning to fray.
Interdental cleaning
Not everyone is aware of it but 40% of the tooth surface sits between the teeth and below the gum line. This area cannot be easily reached by using a toothbrush and can often be left uncleaned, leading to a build up of plaque. To remove this plaque, it is necessary to use an interdental cleaner such as floss, interdental brush, or water irrigator, which reach more efficiently in between the teeth and gum line. The choice between these tools comes down to the size of the gaps between your teeth and what you feel more comfortable using. To find out more about Interdental Cleaning, visit https://dentaldirect.dentocare.co.uk/blog/post/why-is-interdental-cleaning-important.
Mouthwash
It is generally recommended to rinse the mouth with mouthwash at an alternative time to brushing the teeth as it is best to leave the toothpaste to continue working on the teeth after brushing. Ideally, rinsing can be done following interdental care or last thing at night to provide uninterrupted and maximised effect of the active ingredients.
Visit your Dentist
Visiting a dentist regularly is also important as it helps to identify any early diseases or oral complications in the mouth whilst it is still reversible. By doing so at least twice a year, gum disease and other potential conditions can be prevented.
Diet & Lifestyle
When it comes to maintaining good gum health, there are a few factors in our diets which should be limited and monitored:
• Avoid high sugar diets
• Avoid carbonated drinks evening sugar free versions
• Eat lots of refresh veg, but go easy on the more acidic fruits
• Don't smoke