When it comes to the best oral hygiene routine, most people swear by brushing twice a day. While dutiful brushing is vital for maintaining your healthy gums, it is not the holy grail of oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene includes a variety of elements that help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
In this blog, we will dive into some oral hygiene instructions that are beyond brushing and help you transform your dental health journey.
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Effective Oral Health Routine and Practices Beyond Brushing
Brushing is the cornerstone of oral health care; however, it is not the only solution to your dental problems. Here are the oral hygiene tips that are beyond brushing:
1. Diet and Oral Health
Your diet plays a crucial role in determining your oral health. The food that you consume throughout the day not only helps in keeping your body healthy but also helps your gums and teeth. The biggest mistake people make while following oral health instructions is that they do not rinse their mouths.
After every meal, rinse your mouth properly with water. This helps get rid of traces of food. If food resides for a longer time in the mouth, bacteria can accumulate, leading to cavities and other gum diseases.
In addition to rinsing with water, you can also incorporate oral probiotics into your routine. These will promote good bacteria and fight against the bacteria that cause bad breath.
2. Flossing
Apart from brushing, flossing is also an effective way to clean food particles between your teeth and under the gum line that your toothbrush cannot reach. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing to remove plaque and debris from your mouth.
Regular flossing not only helps in preventing gum disease but also helps in keeping bad breath at bay. While flossing, however, make sure you use a clean floss every time and gently curve around the base of your tooth. According to the ADA, flossing should be done at least once in day. Depending on your routine, you can either floss in the morning or before bed. If you are new to flossing, make sure that you visit your dentist and learn flossing from them.
3. Do Not Underestimate Mouth Wash
The best oral hygiene routine is the one that takes 360-degree care of your teeth and gums into account. One such practice is including mouthwash in your daily routine.
As a general practice, people often do not recognize the importance of incorporating mouthwash into their daily routine. Contrary to this belief, mouthwash usually brings a significant improvement in your overall oral health. They act as a disinfectant and help eradicate harmful bacteria from your mouth that can otherwise cause cavities and gum diseases. In addition to this, mouthwash also contributes to teeth whitening.
It is important to understand here that mouthwash cannot replace brushing. It can, however, complement brushing and flossing. For starters, you can incorporate a habit of rinsing your mouth with mouthwash after every meal.
4. Tongue Cleaning
Another significant element of oral hygiene tips includes thorough tongue cleaning. In addition to teeth and gums, your tongue also holds importance in your oral health. When overlooked, it can lead to problems, including bad breath and bacterial accumulation. Hence, a regular practice of tongue cleaning is important to keep your breath fresh throughout the day and, in turn, a healthy oral environment.
Many people prefer cleaning their tongues only in the morning. However, if you suffer from bad breath, consider gently scraping your tongue after every meal. Another point to consider is using a tongue cleaner instead of a toothbrush.
An effective way to clean your tongue is by starting from the rear of your tongue and scraping your tongue gently towards the tip. Try to practice this daily after brushing your teeth, and you will notice a significant improvement in your oral health.
5. Water Flossers
If you are suffering from dental plaques and looking for an in-house solution, water flossers are the best choice for you. They are a great choice even if you do not have plaques and wish to amplify your oral hygiene.
Water flossers help remove food-trapped particles and reduce the possibility of cavities and gum diseases. The way they work is simple: a motor and pump push pressurized water through a nozzle into your mouth. This powerful and pulsating stream of water cleans your teeth more effectively and comfortably than traditional floss.
6. Gum Stimulation or Massage
If there’s one oral health instruction that can blow you away, it is the gum stimulation or massage. Similar to other parts of your body, your gums also need a massage. Effective toothbrushing should also include little massaging of your gums. This is important to eliminate bacterial film or plaque formation on your gums. Make sure, however, that you do not massage your gums with a toothbrush with hard bristles. You can massage with a small soft brush or a gum stimulator.
7. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling, an ancient Indian and Ayurvedic practice, involves swishing oil between your teeth for a few minutes. The age-old practice is known to improve your oral health by reducing inflammation, whitening teeth, reducing bad breath, and treating dry mouth. It is best when done in the morning on an empty stomach.
Take around one tablespoon of either organic sesame, sunflower, or coconut oil, sip it between your teeth, and swish it for about 15-20 minutes. The swishing action dislodges food particles and disrupts bacteria, promoting a cleaner oral environment. Incorporating the practice of oil pulling into your routine can be a beneficial step toward maintaining good oral health.
Conclusion
Dental health plays a crucial role in defining your overall well-being. It is important to know that oral hygiene goes beyond regular brushing. Having a proper oral hygiene routine, along with brushing, can go a long way in keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
For personalized oral health assessments and tailored dental hygiene plans, visit us at Brooklyn Blvd Dental. Whether you prefer to walk in or schedule an appointment, our team is ready to assist you. Contact us today at (916) 435-5111.
