Are you unsure if you’re brushing your teeth properly? Do you experience bleeding gums when brushing but don’t know why? Knowing the best way to clean your smile can improve your oral health. If you’re looking for a dentist in Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove, IL, we’re here for your routine dental cleanings and examinations. Dental visits and a good oral hygiene routine offer preventative care against future dental problems and maintain the brightness of the smile.
Oral Hygiene Tips from Your Dentist in Buffalo Grove
Routine professional dental visits and at-home care help maintain oral health and prevent problems like gum disease and tooth decay. Follow these tips to keep your smile healthy:
Find Your Brushing Style
The way you brush your teeth depends on your type of toothbrush. If you have a manual toothbrush, brush in circular motions or in a back-and-forth motion, beginning from the outside of your teeth at a 45-degree angle. Gradually, move to the tooth’s chewing surfaces and behind the teeth.
If you have an electric toothbrush, the brush already rotates for you. You just have to move the brush along your teeth and gums. Brushing for two minutes twice a day helps remove plaque and tartar from the smile and keeps the breath fresh.
Remember to Floss
Many patients may not think that flossing is as important as brushing. However, if you don’t floss regularly, you can easily encounter gingivitis or gum inflammation. Bleeding gums are a tell-tale sign of gingivitis.
If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth as a result of gingivitis, you can develop further gum problems over time. Gingivitis can become periodontitis, or gum disease, marked by swollen, irritated, and painful gum tissue. It is simpler to reverse gingivitis than periodontitis. Begin flossing before brushing to improve your gum health.
Prevent Tooth Wear
Some people may think that brushing harder will make their teeth cleaner. However, aggressively brushing your teeth can lead to gum and enamel wear. You can also experience bleeding gums if you brush too hard. When you brush your teeth, brush gently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent tooth damage and wear.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. Using fluoride toothpaste will strengthen the outer tooth enamel and help remineralize teeth. Fluoride can protect teeth from problems like dental cavities and tooth abscesses that compromise natural teeth.
Don’t Forget Your Tongue
Bacteria can still accumulate on your tongue, leading to bad breath and contributing to tooth and gum decay. If patients skip brushing their tongue, they can experience bad breath, or halitosis, because plaque can build on the tongue. Plaque is a mixture of food debris and saliva that creates a layer on the teeth, gums, and soft tissues in the mouth. Over time, plaque can harden to form tartar, which is more difficult to remove.
Do you need to visit the dentist? Schedule your next dental visit with Dr. Brent Engelberg online. You may also call AH Smiles at (847) 230-9703. We are proud to provide dental care in Buffalo Grove and the Arlington Heights areas.