Nowadays, a choice of dental health and care products are available to help get rid of the bacteria and plaque. Dental care is a lot more than brushing the teeth twice a day. Below are several tips to help keep the cavity free teeth:
Brushing
Brush the teeth twice daily. Brush first thing in the morning to help with removing the bacteria and plaque that has built up over night, and again just before going to bed. Dentists recommend brushing for at least two minutes. Use a brush with soft bristles, a small head, and hold at a 45° angle. Aim to work slowly around the mouth cleaning each tooth in turn and make sure to avoid missing any areas. Replace a tooth-brush every three months to maintain the effectiveness of the bristles.
Flossing
Brushing isn’t enough. Use dental tape or floss to help clean between the teeth. This helps to remove the build up of plaque in-between the teeth. Flossing should take place before brushing. Since up to 85% of dental issues relates to areas between the teeth, it is crucial to have in place a regular schedule of flossing. Use an interdental brush for larger gaps.
Electric toothbrush
For superior teeth cleaning, an electric toothbrush offers better performance compared to using the standard manual toothbrush. A motorized toothbrush includes an interchangeable brush head sized to cup around the tooth for more efficient and faster cleaning action. Many of the brand names in the dental industry manufacture electric toothbrushes for the adult and child.
Oral irrigators
Oral irrigators (also called Waterjets) offer an alternative to dental floss or tape. Oral irrigators generate a pressurized stream of water to clear plaque in the difficult to reach areas between the teeth. Tests show using an oral irrigator with daily brushing helps eliminate almost 95% more plaque compared to brushing alone. This pressurized steam of water helps with improving gum health by a significant margin. It also lessens the impact of calculus and gingivitis after a period of three or four weeks.
Mouthwash
Rinsing the mouth with mouthwash increases the chance of reaching areas of the mouth that can’t be touched by using the toothbrush alone. Use the mouthwash first thing in the morning and last thing at night, and after brushing the teeth. An alcohol-free mouthwash is often preferred. Alcohol can act as an irritant leaving the mouth dry. This reduces the saliva present in the mouth, which means the teeth are more vulnerable to the build up of bacteria.