Inviting Basic Dental Care in Gainesville

Great oral hygiene isn’t something that people just have, it’s something that they have to work at. To get and maintain great oral hygiene, you have to have a basic dental care routine that you do on a daily basis. Despite what you might think, simply brushing your teeth every day isn’t enough to keep your teeth and gums happy.

Going to a Gainesville dentist is important. In fact, you should be going at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings. In between these visits, however, you have to do your part to keep your dental health in top shape. Let’s discuss in detail some of the steps that you can take to ensure that your oral hygiene is great even in between dentist visits.

Take Time to Brush Twice a Day

This is one of those tips that you’ve been hearing all of your life. Of course, people have been saying it your whole life because it really is that important. To keep your teeth healthy, you need to brush them twice a day. If possible, you should brush them after every meal. However, not everyone has that kind of time, nor is it possible to always make that happen. Thankfully, brushing twice a day should be enough for most individuals.

When brushing your teeth, there are certain techniques that you can use to get the most out of it. For example, you should brush your teeth in little circular motions. Also, you should make sure that you brush for at least two minutes every time.

Are you having trouble keeping up with the time? Divide your teeth into four areas, and brush each section for 30 seconds. This ensures that you not only brush for two minutes but also that you spend equal amounts of time on each area of your teeth. Thankfully, a number of electric toothbrushes have timers built into them.

Check That You’re Getting the Right Toothbrush

Brushing your teeth twice a day is the first step, but it’s only helpful if you’re getting the right toothbrush. Make sure that you’re getting a toothbrush that has soft bristles. The great thing about soft bristles as opposed to medium or hard bristles is that they don’t damage your enamel as much. Likewise, make sure that the head of your toothbrush isn’t too big to clean the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.

Next, make sure that you’re changing your toothbrush every three months. It doesn’t matter if you’re using an electric toothbrush or a manual one. Both types of toothbrushes have to be changed every three months.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste

It’s not just the type of toothbrush that you use that matters. Your toothpaste matters too. You should be buying toothpaste that contains fluoride, a natural mineral that helps to fortify the enamel on your teeth. This makes them stronger and more resistant to cavities. It can also help cut down on tooth sensitivity.

Even if you live in one of the many cities that put fluoride in their drinking water, you should still be using a fluoride toothpaste. That’s because these cities don’t put enough fluoride in the water to counter tooth decay. Sure it helps, but you still have to take matters into your own hands.

Did you know that there’s a safe way to add even more fluoride to your basic dental care routine? Simply start using a fluoride rinse at night. You can buy this at most stores, and it’s an easy way to give your teeth the extra fluoride that you need. Simply use the fluoride right before going to bed so that it has all night to sit on your teeth. That’s it! Now let the fluoride do the rest.

Get Some Flossing Action

Besides brushing, flossing is one of the single-most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Using floss helps to remove food particles that become trapped in your teeth. This food can grow bacteria that not only makes your breath smell bad, but also causes the formation of plaque. As plaque feeds on the food, it makes an acidic byproduct that can eat away at your teeth.

Using floss, you can remove this food and keep plaque from building up. Don’t focus too hard on which kind of floss you’re using. Water flossers and string floss work much the same way. The most important thing is that you floss.

Freshen Your Breath With Mouthwash

Bacteria can cause a lot of problems for your teeth and gums. Thankfully, you can counter this bad bacteria using an antibacterial mouthwash. This type of product not only freshens your breath but also kills bad bacteria. In turn, it promotes healthy gums and lessens your chances of developing gingivitis. That alone is reason enough to give it a try.

Dental Care on the Go

Remember that caring for your teeth is a full-time gig, so you also have to think about doing it even when you’re away from your home. What are some ways that you can clean your teeth when you don’t have access to your toothbrush?

One simple way is to swish your mouth with water. This loosens up food particles and removes them from your mouth. This isn’t a replacement for brushing, but it will work in a pinch. You can also opt for sugar-free chewing gum. Chewing gum increases saliva flow, which helps to wash away plaque acid.

Of course, another option is to carry around a little mini toothbrush so that you can brush no matter where you go. It’s small enough to keep on you or in your desk at work. This gives you the ability to brush after every meal.

Let Us Help Care for Your Teeth

Coming up with a good basic dental care routine is important. However, that’s just the first part. You still have to continue to visit your local Gainesville dentist. If you’re looking for a dentist in Gainesville, give us a call. We pride ourselves on offering dental care at prices that people can afford.

If you’re ready to set up an appointment, reach out to us. Our staff members can schedule your visit for a time that’s right for you. Don’t wait any longer to schedule your next checkup. Call today.