Establishing a Healthy At-Home Dental Routine

At Kildaire Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we want our patients to understand that healthy teeth begin at home. From cavities and tooth decay to gum disease and bad breath, many oral health issues can be limited or completely avoided with both a healthy dental hygiene routine and regular visits to our office. Today, we’re going to break down the three essentials your routine needs to make it easier than ever to make good teeth a habit.

two toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste

1. Use the Right Tools

For most of our patients, a good at-home dental routine involves three important items: a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. When choosing your toothbrush, make sure you grab a brush with soft bristles, as medium or hard bristles can damage your enamel and irritate your gums.

When it comes to toothpaste, there are tons of options that are great choices. Whether you prefer traditional mint toothpaste, organic toothpaste, or bacon-flavored toothpaste, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to clean teeth and freshen breath. And, don’t forget about floss! Cheap traditional floss does the trick just fine, but there are plenty of other options available, too.

2. Pick the Right Time

You should brush your teeth twice each day and floss every day. Generally, it is best to brush your teeth in the morning after getting up and at night before falling asleep. Just remember: brushing your teeth can temporarily weaken enamel, so avoid eating or drinking for about thirty minutes after brushing teeth.

3. Brush the Right Way

When you brush your teeth, you should brush them for two minutes each time. Angle your brush at 45 degrees from your gums and gently brush back and forth. Although you may believe that by brushing vigorously you can finish more quickly, this can actually irritate your teeth and gums.

If you follow these three steps, you’re well on your way to healthy pearly whites. To ask our team any questions or to schedule your next visit, contact our office today!