As a leading dental practice in Bolton, we know that maintaining proper oral hygiene at home is crucial for the health of your teeth and gums. Whether it’s for yourself, your family or your child, we all want to know how we can take better care of our teeth. After all, looking after your mouth, teeth and gums should be a lifetime commitment – because the better our dental routine, the better our oral health and the longer our smiles will last. Today, our expert dentists in Bolton look at the best oral hygiene practices you can try at home.

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1. Do your oral care routine twice a day

The biggest thing we’d advise our Bolton patients to do is brush and floss twice daily. After the morning and evening meals are the usual time, as it takes care of food particles and bacteria that might have built up after eating. You’ll need to do this for two minutes each time, so use a timer or app to make sure you’re brushing for long enough. You should also floss afterwards with dental floss or dental tape.

2. Brush correctly

You’d be amazed at how much of a difference correcting your brushing can do. Aggressive or harsh brushing can damage the surface of the tooth – the enamel – and expose the underlayers of the teeth. This can make them more susceptible to decay and staining over time. In addition, only brush with a soft-bristled brush to prevent scraping away at the teeth too harshly.

3. Quit smoking

Smoking is dangerous on so many levels: a cause of oral cancer, gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), halitosis and more. We’d always advise our patients to quit smoking or vaping for the best oral health outcomes.

4. Encourage children

Some kids are great at brushing their teeth and take pride in their smiles. Others aren’t sure what to do when it comes to caring for their teeth. And others still can be a little lax with their oral care. It’s a good idea to get your children brushed as early as possible, using things like stickers and reward charts; fun timers; brightly-coloured toothbrushes; and flavoured kids’ toothpaste (providing the fluoride content is appropriate to their age).

5. Watch your diet

Sugary, starchy and acidic foods can wreak havoc on your teeth. Switch to sugar-free options, try chewing sugar-free gum, and have water instead of pop when you’re thirsty. focus on consuming a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals that support strong teeth and healthy gums.

6. Regular Dental Checkups

Regular dental checkups are vital for maintaining good oral health. During your checkup, your dentist can check for any signs of cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. They can also perform a professional cleaning to remove any plaque or tartar buildup that you may have missed during your at-home oral hygiene routine.

Talk to our Bolton dentists

We’d love to help with any aspect of your oral care. Get in touch today to find out what we can do for your smile.

You can also read more about what sort of toothpaste you should be using in one of our other blogs.

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