{"id":266,"date":"2021-08-01T07:02:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-01T07:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.benchmarkfamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=266"},"modified":"2021-08-29T19:13:40","modified_gmt":"2021-08-29T19:13:40","slug":"4-oral-hygiene-best-practices-you-should-never-skip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benchmarkfamilydental.com\/blog\/4-oral-hygiene-best-practices-you-should-never-skip\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Oral Hygiene Best Practices You Should Never Skip"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You likely already know about the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day. Perhaps you even floss regularly! It’s true that daily brushing and flossing are critical to fighting tooth decay and gum disease. However, there is a handful of essential, cavity-fighting steps that many people aren’t familiar with. Keep reading to discover the 4 oral hygiene best practices that you should never skip.<\/p>

Practice Good Brushing Technique<\/h2>

You may already diligently brush your teeth twice a day, but are you using the right technique? Experts say that you should hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently brush in a short, circular motion. Be sure to brush the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. In addition, avoid pressing too hard when brushing, as this can hurt your gums.  <\/p>

Keep Your Brush Clean<\/h2>

Your toothbrush helps clean your mouth, but you should also clean your toothbrush! Always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store it in an upright position separate from other toothbrushes in the same holder to prevent cross-contamination. Avoid covering the toothbrush head or storing your toothbrush in a dark, closed container. Doing so can encourage the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast. Instead, let your toothbrush air-dry between each use.<\/p>

Replace Old Toothbrushes<\/h2>

Just like you would replace an old pair of shoes with holes, you should also replace your toothbrush before it loses its cleaning ability. When toothbrush bristles become frayed or worn, they cannot clean between your teeth and along the gum line effectively. That is why the American Dental Association recommends replacing toothbrushes every three or four months.<\/p>

Clean Your Tongue<\/h2>

Regularly cleaning your tongue is an important part of maintaining a healthy, fresh mouth. Bacteria, dead skin cells, and tiny food particles can collect and become trapped in the grooves of the tiny bumps (called papillae) on your tongue. Trapped bacteria can cause bad breath, discoloration of the tongue, and increase the risk of plaque and tartar buildup on teeth.<\/p>

There are two techniques to properly clean your tongue:<\/p>