General Oral Hygiene

SACRAMENTO, CA, November 02, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is the very best way to keep your natural teeth healthy, strong, and attractive. Your general oral hygiene routine should consist of a daily at-home regimen along with biannual visits to your dentist for professional cleanings and examinations. These simple steps are often sufficient to guard against tooth decay, gum disease, and a host of other unpleasant oral health issues.

Begin at Home
Your general oral hygiene begins at home. Choose fluoride toothpaste that you enjoy. The flavor of your toothpaste is irrelevant as long as you like it. The important thing is that your toothpaste has at least 0.24 percent sodium fluoride. Fluoride is essential for remineralizing tooth enamel and preventing tooth decay.

Next, choose a soft bristle toothbrush. It doesn't matter if it is mechanical or manual, what matters is that you use it. The soft bristles will gently remove surface stains, food particles, and plaque without damaging underlying tooth enamel. Brush the front and back of your teeth, both up and down and in a circular fashion for at least two minutes after every meal and snack. If you have eaten something particularly acidic, wait 30 minutes before brushing to prevent damaging tooth enamel, but don't skip brushing.

Flossing should be done prior to brushing both morning and night to allow your toothbrush to remove the particles that floss knocks loose. Flossing is simple and, once you get into the habit, something you will notice when you skip. Floss removes food particles, bacteria, and plaque from places your toothbrush cannot reach, and can help prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath.

If you choose, you can add a mouthwash to your at home routine. Many commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol which can dry your mouth out and may not be good for people with chronic dry mouth. Talk to your dentist before you begin using a mouthwash and never assume your mouthwash is an acceptable alternative to brushing and flossing.

Professional Services
Good oral hygiene requires professional services. You should plan on seeing your dentist every six months for thorough cleanings and examinations. These visits enable your dentist to provide you with the cleanest teeth possible and also to check for signs of oral health issues that can be treated before serious problems occur.

If you live in or around Sacramento, California and would like to learn more about general oral hygiene, please visit the website of Advanced Dental Concepts for additional information at www.hightechsmiles.com.

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