Taking good care of your oral health will help you to manage your overall health. Problems in the mouth can easily lead to problems in other areas of your body. Not to mention that toothaches and other mouth issues can be very painful, and dental work can be rather expensive if you let the problem persist. So, you should work with your dentist to put together an oral hygiene routine that will help you take care of teeth and mouth healthy. Here is a look at the different components your routine should include.
Brushing
Every oral health routine needs to include brushing. You should plan to brush twice a day. Brush when you get up and then again before bed. Each session should last for at least two minutes. You should hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and make sure you clean all surfaces. You should replace your toothbrush every six months.
Tongue Cleaning
You should do this when you brush. You can just brush your tongue using your toothbrush and some toothpaste. You can also use floss or a tongue scraper to scrape the tongue clean.
Flossing
You should floss at least once a day. Make sure to get in between every tooth. Guide the floss along your tooth, not the gums to prevent gum damage. Use a clean portion of floss for each tooth.
Rinse
Use a mouthwash designed to fight cavities to rinse after each time you brush. You should follow the directions on the mouthwash bottle. Typically, you rinse for 30 seconds to one minute. Usually, it is a good idea to not eat or drink anything for a half hour after rinsing.
