Oral Hygiene Routine

A man brushing his teeth with tips he learned at Sunnyside Dentistry in Clackamas, OR

Your mouth is made up of many different components. All of these components work together to allow you to perform many essential functions, including biting, chewing, speaking, and so much more. For your mouth to perform at its best, it requires proper care with a good oral hygiene routine. Sunnyside Dentistry is here to help.

Signs Your Oral Hygiene Routine Needs Help

Proper oral hygiene is essential for ensuring a healthy mouth and beautiful smile. Ignoring any part of your routine can significantly increase your risk for many issues. There are a few signs that can indicate something is wrong. These signs include:

•	Gums that are red and swollen.
•	Bleeding when you brush and floss.
•	Bad breath that does not seem to go away, no matter what you do.
•	You continue to develop cavities.

Proper Brushing

The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, angle the bristles 45-degrees toward your gums. Gently brush side to side to clean your teeth. Brush for a full 2 minutes, making sure that you clean all surfaces of your teeth, the fronts, backs, and the chewing surfaces.

Flossing Your Teeth

In addition to flossing, it is also recommended that you floss your teeth at least once a day. Take 18 inches of floss and wind it around your middle fingers until there is about a one to two-inch section left. Gently move the floss back and forth to work it between your teeth. Curve the floss around the sides of the tooth and move the floss up and down to scrape away debris. Use a new section of floss for each space and do not forget to floss behind your very back teeth.

Professional Oral Care

Along with taking care of your mouth every day at home, the ADA recommends having your teeth professionally cleaned and examined twice a year, or once every six months. During your cleanings, we can effectively remove buildup from all surfaces of your teeth, including those spaces that you cannot easily clean on your own. These cleanings help you to prevent issues from developing. Exams are performed to check for early warning signs of oral health issues, including cavities and gum diseases. We can spot issues before you ever notice that something is wrong. By detecting issues early, we can provide you with more conservative treatments to restore your oral health and prevent more serious consequences from developing.

Other Tips for Maintaining Your Oral Health

There are a few other things that you can do to help maintain optimal oral health. These include:

•	Using mouthwash. Mouthwash does more than just leave you with fresh, clean breath. It can also help to remove loose debris from your mouth and kill any lingering bacteria.
•	Keeping your tongue clean. Your tongue can trap bacteria, which can contribute to oral health issues, even if you brush and floss regularly. You can keep your tongue clean by using your toothbrush and toothpaste or by using a tongue scraper.
•	Avoiding, or quitting, using tobacco products.
•	Eating a healthy diet.