A beautiful and healthy smile isn’t about your regular visits to the dentist. It’s about taking excellent care of your teeth consistently at home, with an effective oral hygiene routine. Just like eating healthily to fuel and look after your body, what you do daily to look after your teeth is the first step to protecting your teeth against gum disease, tooth decay, cavities and more.

In this article, we’re diving into the complete guide to oral hygiene at home to help you achieve a brilliant smile!

Brushing is key

First, make sure to choose the right tools such as a soft-bristled toothbrush. 

• An electric toothbrush is a brilliant option to help remove more stubborn plaque build up.
• Replace your toothbrush or head every 3-4 months, or sooner if the bristles start to fray.

Next, it’s about nailing the technique of brushing your teeth.

• It’s recommended to brush for a full 2-minutes, twice per day. Set a timer or even listen to your favourite song!
• Brush in gentle, circular motions so you cover all surfaces of your teeth.
• Make sure to also brush your tongue! This helps to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Lastly for brushing your teeth, is to make sure you use the right toothpaste.

• A fluoride toothpaste is highly recommended, to help strengthen your tooth’s enamel and prevent cavities.

Why You Should Floss Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth can’t reach everywhere needed to maintain a healthy, happy smile. The tight spaces between and at the back of your teeth where plaque and food particles can gather, need to be looked after to keep your teeth healthy.

Flossing your teeth helps to remove the debris, keeping your teeth healthy and reduces the risk of inflammation and cavities.

We recommend flossing your teeth each time after brushing, to make sure any potential debris is removed. If you struggle to use traditional dental floss, look at floss picks or interdental brushes.

Use A Mouthwash For Extra Protection

Using an antiseptic mouthwash is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash can help to kill off bacteria and freshen your breath.

When using an antiseptic mouthwash, we recommend rinsing for 30 seconds after brushing and flossing your teeth. However, do not rinse straight after brushing your teeth since this can wash away residual fluoride from your toothpaste which is a support for the enamel on your teeth.

Look After Your Health & Your Teeth

The food and drink you fuel your body with can have a big impact on the health of your teeth. Let’s dive into this in more detail.

Limit food and drink high in sugar

• Sugar feeds bacteria which can increase the chances of cavities.
• We recommend opting for food and drink lower in sugar, such as water or herbal tea.

Stay hydrated

• Aside from staying hydrated, water has plenty of benefits for your teeth.
• It supports washing away food particles in your mouth, alongside neutralising acids, all helping to maintain healthier teeth.

It’s important to understand how your diet can influence the health of your teeth. Find out more from our team here about diet and a healthier smile.

Visit Your Dentist For A Dental Check-Up

Your oral hygiene routine at home may be excellent, however, it’s important to visit your dentist for a check-up and professional clean.

Seeing your dentist for a regular check-up is a good opportunity to understand the health of your teeth, and if there may be any underlying conditions.

Incorporating the tips shared in this guide into your daily routine, you’ll be on your way to a healthier, happier smile and for years to come!

Are you looking for a new dentist to help you to look after your smile? We’re delighted to be offering 10% off to all new private patients for a comprehensive dental check-up*. What are you waiting for? Call us or get in touch with our team today to book your appointment!