Your oral hygiene habits at home are your first line of defense against nasty oral infections that can cause a host of unpleasant problems like bad breath, chronic pain, dental decay, and tooth loss. While almost everyone knows that brushing their teeth every day is crucial to keeping their mouth healthy, many people are not aware of a few essential habits that play key roles in preventing infections. Here’s a quick look at three habits you should be implementing in your oral hygiene regimen.
Flossing
Just like brushing, flossing is absolutely crucial to protecting your teeth and gums from destructive oral infections since it can eliminate plaque and food debris from spaces in the smile where a toothbrush cannot reach. When you floss, cut a length of about eighteen inches from the pack and hold a one-inch section of it taut between your hands. Then, gently slide the thread between each pair of teeth while taking care to move up and down and side to side against either edge and avoiding pressing too deep into the gum tissue.
Be sure to move to a clean section of floss before treating the next pair of teeth to prevent plaque from begin carried from one tooth to another.
Brushing Your Soft Tissues
While virtually everyone knows to brush their teeth at least twice a day, many are not aware of the importance of using a toothbrush to clean the gums, tongue, roof of the mouth, and interiors of the lips and cheeks. This will eliminate plaque, food debris, and sugary residues while also stimulating these soft tissues, which can improve their blood flow and ability to fight infections. Brushing your soft tissues will also help you avoid bad breath.
Wearing a Nightguard
Many people reflexively grind their teeth in their sleep, and this can lead to issues like excessive dental wear, flattening of the teeth, TMJ issues, jaw pain, dental misalignments, and gum recession. Fortunately, your dentist can set you up with a customized nightguard that provides protection far superior to that of similar store-bought products. If you grind your teeth, wearing one of these devices when you go to bed can protect your smile from injury and prevent much discomfort of the mouth, neck, head, back, and jaw.
Don’t let poor oral hygiene habits set the stage for destructive oral health problems that can lead to tooth loss and other forms of permanent damage. Consulting with your dentist or prosthodontist can help you find how to keep your smile in excellent condition.
About the Practice
Island City Dental offers the best oral healthcare in Wilton Manors and the surrounding area. Led by Drs. Hasan Yap, Robert Smith, and Lorena Corzo, the staff treats each patient with compassion, courtesy, and the utmost customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. To learn more about proper daily oral hygiene habits, contact the practice on the web or dial the front desk at (954) 564-7121.