You have a dentist appointment in an hour. Before you leave, you run to your bathroom, take out your toothbrush, and brush as thoroughly as you possibly can. You may also floss for the first time in a while.
If this sounds familiar, know you’re not alone. Many people brush their teeth right before they go to the dentist. After all, they want their dentist to believe they’ve been taking great care of their teeth, mouth, and gums. They don’t want to go there with food particles and plaque between their teeth.
Professional Teeth Cleanings Are Not Substitutes for Proper Care at Home
Here’s the reality: While there’s nothing wrong with brushing your teeth before a dentist appointment, doing so will not get rid of poor habits. If you’ve been slacking on your brushing and flossing, the dentist will know, regardless of whether or not you brush before you see them. Therefore, it’s important to maintain healthy oral habits at home. It’s your responsibility to brush twice a day and floss daily.
While professional teeth cleanings every six months or so are important, they’re not enough. Therefore, you shouldn’t think of them as a substitute for brushing and flossing your teeth at home. Instead, they are a supplement to your efforts at home. A consistent and effective oral hygiene routine at home paired with routine cleanings can do wonders for your teeth.
You’ll enjoy a white, beautiful smile. More importantly, however you’ll be able to save a great deal of money and headaches on treatments for cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. A proactive approach where you care for your teeth, mouth, and gums rather than solve complications when they appear is a good idea.
Tips for a Healthy At-Home Oral Care Routine
To achieve and maintain healthy teeth with your at-home routine, be sure to follow these tips.
- Brush twice a day: While brushing every morning and evening is typically enough, you can go the extra mile and brush in between meals as well.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste: Be selective with your toothpaste. Opt for a fluoride toothpaste that has a seal of approval from the American Dental Association.
- Floss once daily: If you lead a busy life, you may put flossing on the backburner. Doing so can lead to oral health problems as floss gets rid of plaque food particles that your toothbrush may have missed.
- Stop bad habits: Bad habits like smoking, biting your nails, and chewing on pencils can wreak havoc on your oral health. Do your best to ditch these bad habits before they cost you a beautiful, healthy smile.
- Consider mouthwash: Mouthwash can be a great addition to your oral care routine. It can reduce the amount of acid in your mouth, clean hard-to-reach areas, and freshen your breath.
Schedule Your Appointment at Mile High Smiles
If you have any further questions about professional teeth cleanings or oral care at home or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our Lakewood, Colorado dentist office today. We can be reached at 303-232-1830 and look forward to hearing from you!
