It is important to our oral health to brush and floss daily, yet it is also important to be doing it correctly. Many people may not be getting the full benefits of their oral care routine if they aren’t taking enough time to fully clean their teeth. Our team at Highgrove Dental Care understands that oral health starts at home and wants to help those in the St. Paul, MN area to develop better oral hygiene habits.
How Long Should You Be Spending on Your Daily Oral Care
- Brushing – It is recommended to spend about two minutes brushing your teeth both in the morning and at night. This will allow you to have enough time to fully clean both the front, tops, and back of your teeth, as well as your tongue so you can have a completely clean mouth. It will also help you to remove the bacteria in the hard-to-reach places in your mouth that you normally miss.
- Flossing – Though there isn’t a recommended amount of time, flossing can take just as much time as brushing, if not more. In order to floss correctly, you should gently slide the floss between your teeth and run the floss along each side of your tooth. Rushing through this process can cause you to snap the floss between teeth and damage your gums. Taking your time will allow you to be more efficient at removing the plaque buildup from your gum line.
- Mouthwash – Though mouthwash isn’t as vital to your oral health as brushing and flossing, it is still helpful in removing bacteria. Swishing mouthwash around your mouth for about thirty to sixty seconds will help to remove bacteria that cause plaque and bad breath. It may be difficult to keep stronger mouthwashes in your mouth for that long, so choosing an alcohol-free mouthwash may be more beneficial.
Don’t Forget Dental Visits
Good oral hygiene accompanied by regular dental visits will help you to maintain your oral health and reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. If you would like to learn more about at-home oral care or to schedule an exam, please do not hesitate to contact our office.