Keeping your teeth and gums healthy starts with a routine you can repeat every day. Brushing, cleaning between your teeth and getting dental care when you need it work together. The aim is to remove plaque regularly and notice changes before they become bigger problems.
Brush gently twice a day
Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush for two minutes, twice daily. Clean the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of your teeth, paying attention to the gumline. Gentle, thorough brushing is more useful than hard scrubbing.
Replace your toothbrush or brush head every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed. If you struggle to reach an area, ask your dental team to demonstrate a technique that works for you.
Clean between your teeth every day
A toothbrush cannot fully reach the spaces between teeth. Use floss or another suitable interdental cleaner daily. Guide floss gently rather than snapping it into your gums. Depending on your teeth and dental work, an interdental brush or water flosser may be useful.
Consistency matters more than choosing a particular time of day. Pick a time you can stick with, and ask your dentist which tool suits your mouth.
Help children build the same habits
Start brushing when the first tooth appears. For children younger than three, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. From ages three to six, use a pea-sized amount. Supervise brushing and encourage children to spit out toothpaste rather than swallow it.
Begin cleaning between a child’s teeth when two teeth touch. Help with brushing and flossing until they can do it effectively. For age-appropriate support, explore our family dentistry services.
Pay attention to your gums
Repeated bleeding, swelling, persistent bad breath or gums pulling away from teeth deserve a dental check. These changes can be signs of gum disease. Do not assume that bleeding during brushing is something you simply have to accept.
Professional cleaning can remove hardened tartar that home brushing cannot. Your dentist can recommend a checkup and cleaning schedule based on your oral health and risk factors.
Plan your next dental visit in Rancho Cucamonga
Whether you are maintaining a routine or restarting after a gap, learn about cleaning and prevention at Finesse Dental. Bring any questions about your daily care to your appointment.
Call (909) 852-6787 or schedule your visit online.
Sources: American Dental Association — Brushing Your Teeth, Flossing, and Healthy Habits for Children; National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research — Gum Disease.
