The Importance of Proper At-Home Oral Care

Are you doing enough to protect yourself from cavities and gum disease? Improving your at-home oral care and visiting your Lynchburg, VA, dentist, Dr. Kevin Midkiff, for checkups will keep your smile bright and healthy.

How You Benefit From Good Oral Hygiene

Brushing and flossing often become mindless activities when you've been doing them for years. A quick pass of the toothbrush over the teeth in the morning and evening and occasional flossing constitute the extent of the average oral hygiene routine for many people.

Unfortunately, a laid-back approach to oral care may mean that you're more likely to face tooth decay and gum disease in the future. Brushing your teeth is the simplest, most effective way to remove plaque, a clear, sticky film that causes cavities. If you don't brush thoroughly or long enough, some of the film will remain on your teeth. Eventually, plaque will turn into tartar, a hard deposit that's a factor in gum disease. Although you can eliminate plaque by brushing or flossing, you'll need a cleaning in the Lynchburg dental office to remove tartar.

Do you know how long you spend brushing your teeth? If it's less than two minutes, you may be leaving some plaque behind. Increasing the amount of time your brush is an easy way to improve your oral hygiene.

In addition to brushing longer, keep these oral hygiene recommendations in mind:

• Use Fluoridated Toothpaste: Tooth enamel weakens when it's attacked by acids that form when sugars in food combine with the bacteria in plaque. Soon, the weakened area can become a cavity. Toothpaste that contains fluoride will rebuild weak areas, preventing tooth decay.
   
• Floss Every Day: Brushing your teeth doesn't get rid of plaque between teeth. Eliminating plaque in tight space requires dental floss/picks, interdental brushes, or water flossers.
   
• Add Mouthwash to Your Oral Hygiene Routine: Mouthwashes that contain fluoride and kill bacteria offer added protection.

Protect your oral health with a dental checkup! Call your dentist in Lynchburg, VA, Dr. Midkiff, at (434) 239-8133 to schedule an appointment.