Improve Your At-Home Oral Hygiene Routine With Tips From Our Glendale Dentist

Written by Dr. McKay on Jan 1, 2013

Ready to take your smile to the next level? There are a number of things that you can do, at home, during the day, in order to give your oral hygiene routine a boost. Here are some tips straight from our Glendale dentists; we hope this article empowers you to optimize your oral hygiene routine!

Hopefully, you are already brushing and flossing your teeth as recommended by your dental team. As a quick refresher: most patients need to brush every morning and every night, and floss before brushing at night.

Once you’re covering these basic steps, here are some additional steps that you can take in order to care for your smile:

1. Rinse your mouth with water throughout the day. Bacterial plaque is the enemy of a healthy smile. Rinse your mouth frequently to dislodge dental debris and minimize the amount of plaque that is allowed to sit on your oral tissues throughout the day.

2. Eat crunchy, water-rich vegetables throughout the day. Veggies like carrots and celery are not only nutritious, they are also good for your smile. The physical act of chewing theses vegetables scrapes plaque from your dental enamel. And, because these veggies are high in water content, they help to promote saliva production.

3. Floss, rather than using toothpicks, to dislodge food particles. Toothpicks, which are made of wood or metal, can actually cause more harm than good; they can cause cuts and scratches in your oral tissues that may become infected. So when you need to clear away a bit of food that is stuck in your smile, opt for gentle floss!

When you prioritize your oral health, you will benefit from a smile that looks great and feels strong. Our Glendale dentist office is here to help you every step of the way. So call us to schedule your consultation!