At-home dental care is one of life’s non-negotiables. Along with regular professional oral care check-ups with your dentist (check out Dental99 if you’re concerned about cost), your at-home dental care is part and parcel of overall health, wellness and longevity.
Sydney dentist, Dr Gamer Verdian from The Dental Lounge stresses the importance of each, saying that proper at home dental care, teamed with regular six monthly check-ups, is essential. “When oral health is neglected, it can lead to cavities and gum disease and even very serious diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes and heart disease.”
Thankfully, at-home dental care is almost as easy as breathing – once you get into the swing of it, you can do it without thinking. Dr Gamer lists the essentials you need to implement to ensure your smile remains one of your best health and aesthetic assets.
At-Home Dental Care – Brush And Floss After Every Meal (Just Not Too Hard)
In the same way we wash our hands regularly, we need to brush and floss our teeth after each meal, to remove debris and plaque. However, overzealous brushing can often wear away tooth enamel. So be mindful that gentle pressure is all you need to remove the day’s debris and plaque.
Brushing too vigorously may also cause gums to recede and sometimes even bleed. However, if your gums are bleeding it’s likely to be a sign of gingivitis or gum disease, in which case you should see your dentist as soon as possible. Also bear in mind that other factors like pregnancy, badly fitting dentures, and even some medications, can cause your gums to bleed.
How You Brush Is Just As Important As When You Brush
Don’t think that scrubbing every which way with your toothbrush is enough to do the trick. This simply moves plaque and debris around the mouth and may even lodge them into crevices. There’s a technique known as the Modified Bass Technique, which dentists globally agree is the most effective brushing method. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line. Allow its bristles to reach only up to just beneath the gum line (not actually pushing into the skin of the gum). Then, use a gentle circular motion over each tooth, which is very effective at collecting plaque. Two minutes of brushing is ideal (most modern-day electric toothbrushes guide you through a proper two-minute brushing session).
The plaque and debris are then rinsed away when you rinse your brush and mouth. Be sure to rinse well, until all traces of toothpaste are gone. Use a fluoride toothpaste, and floss after every meal. Brushing and flossing before bed is especially important in order as food particles and bacteria can cause a lot of damage if consistently left overnight.
The Right Way To Floss
At-home dental care involves proper flossing.Yes, there is a right way to floss, as well as a wrong way. If you floss too hard, or vigorously, you risk damaging your gums.
For best results, wrap the ends of your length of floss around the middle finger of each hand. Make sure the length in the middle is around seven to 10 centimetres long. Now, use your thumbs and index fingers to hold that section as you very gently work it into the space between your teeth. Press it against one of the teeth first, so it creates a C-shape. Slide it up and down a few times. Repeat on the other tooth, and then move on to the next two teeth until you have flossed your entire mouth.
Again, be very gentle, as you don’t want to risk gum damage. If you prefer to use a toothpick, choose the best quality you can find, with a tapered edge that provides plenty of glide.
Choose An Electric Toothbrush Over A Manual One If You Can
Research has found that electric toothbrushes are slightly better at removing plaque and reducing the risk of gingivitis. An independent 2004 Cochrane research review discovered there was “moderate benefit” of using an electric toothbrush instead of a manual brush. Proper use of a manual toothbrush should be as effective as an electric toothbrush, but most people don’t remove enough plaque with a manual toothbrush. They either don’t brush long enough, or they use incorrect brushing techniques. An electric toothbrush can help remedy that.
What’s more, an 11-year study published in 2019 found that people who used electric toothbrushes had healthier gums, less plaque and lower rates of tooth loss, compared with those who brushed with a manual brush.
Use Mouthwash – But Not In Place of Brushing And Flossing
While a mouthwash certainly has its place in your at-home dental care routine, it should never be considered a substitute for correct brushing and flossing. Mouthwash can help banish the bacteria that leads to bad breath, or halitosis, and some formulas may even support health teeth and gums. However, this is only when used daily, in conjunction with correct at-home dental care, and regular clinic visits.
Most people will be OK using and store-bought mouthwash, which can help with decay prevention, halitosis and the prevention of gum disease. However, your dentist may prescribe a certain mouthwash for you if you have gingivitis, dry mouth or sores in your mouth. Always be careful with alcohol-based mouthwashes as they have a slightly increased risk of oral cancer when used long-term. CBM
