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Keeping your teeth clean and limiting the effects of oral bacteria is important to your smile’s appearance as well as your oral health. However, many patients aren’t doing as much as they could be to maintain their smiles, both at home and in visiting their dentist. Professional teeth cleaning and a robust home oral hygiene regimen both are instrumental in preserving a healthy smile.
Patients should have their teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist at least every six months to keep their teeth in optimal condition. This type of professional teeth cleaning is an important supplement to the patient’s home oral care routine, because even the most diligent brushers and flossers can still collect plaque and tartar along the gumline, especially toward the back of the mouth, which is harder to reach. Dental hygienists can use specialized instruments to remove that plaque and tartar, and they have better angles on the entirety of your smile.
When you see your dentist twice a year, you also have the opportunity to ask questions about your daily oral hygiene routine. Should you add an anti-bacterial mouthwash? Are you using proper technique? There may be other suggestions the dentist has for you to incorporate into your routine.
Of course, if you’re only seeing your dentist twice a year, you must take steps at home to keep your smile as clean and healthy as possible, as well. This effort begins with a basic oral hygiene regimen of brushing twice each day and flossing daily.
When you brush and floss, it’s important to use proper technique to get maximum benefits. Be sure to cover all of the surfaces of your teeth completely, and hold your brush at an angle against the gumline to disrupt tartar formation. You should also be brushing for two minutes in the morning and at bedtime to allow you to clean your teeth thoroughly. Use a toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association.
If you have any questions about either professional teeth cleaning or home oral hygiene practices, please contact the office of Dr. Barry Buchanan and speak to one of our knowledgeable staff members.
