Sometimes the smallest tweaks to your dental routine can make the biggest differences when it comes to the health and appearance of your smile. With that in mind, our Novato dentists have put together this list of simple things you can do to take your at-home dental routine to the next level.
Use The Right Tools
When building an effective oral hygiene routine, it is critical that you brush as recommended by your dentist—for most of us this means once in the morning and once before bed. However, not all toothbrushes are the same—you can get brushes with bristles that range from extra-soft to extra-firm. You want to use the softest, gentlest brush you can without sacrificing cleaning quality.
Brush Smartly
Another way to protect your smile is to make sure that you are brushing your teeth when they are at their strongest. The porousness of your dental enamel changes throughout the day. For example, after you eat or drink something acidic your teeth will be softer than normal. To safeguard your smile, wait for at least 20 to 30 minutes after acid exposure to brush your teeth.
Rinse Regularly
Bacterial plaque accumulates in your mouth all day and all night long. Saliva is your body’s natural way to neutralize bacteria and re-mineralize enamel. Simply rinsing your mouth with water after meals and snacks can make a big difference when it comes to your overall dental health.
Don’t Forget Floss
Take the time to pick a kind of floss that works well for your smile, specifically. For example, the floss should be thin enough to fit between your teeth and extend into your gum tissue. Specific floss flavors and textures are largely a matter of preference.
Try incorporating some of these recommendations into your routine right away to boost oral health. If you have additional questions you can always reach out to our Novato dentists for help!