Care Dental Center is one of the top dental practices in Carson and Southern California. Part of our mission is to educate our patients and their families on proper dental care, both at home and at our Carson office.
We want you to have the best smile possible, so we’ve put together this page of the most frequently asked home dental care questions we receive and their answers. If you have other questions, please call us.
Proper oral hygiene is the basis for long-term oral health. Visiting your dentist for twice-yearly cleanings isn’t enough to prevent cavities and gum disease. If you want to keep your teeth in the best possible health, you need to practice good oral hygiene at home.
Proper brushing is the foundation of any good home dental care routine. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Flossing is also important. You should floss at least once per day. You can brush and floss more often, of course, but this is the minimum for proper oral health.
You should brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush for two minutes at least twice a day. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush in small circles. Make sure that you brush each individual tooth. Be careful not to brush too hard or you can damage your teeth and gums.
Finally, be sure to brush your tongue after your teeth, either with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper.
If you’re using string floss, take a section about 12 inches long, wrap the ends around the index and middle finger of either hand, leaving about two inches for you to work with, and insert the floss between each set of teeth to remove food particles. When the floss collects too much debris, use a new section of the string.
You can also use floss picks, a floss holder, or a WaterPik if you don’t like holding floss in your hands.
Mouthwash is a good addition to your oral hygiene routine. You can find mouthwashes targeted to preventing cavities, killing bacteria, and even whitening your teeth. Mouthwashes are available with and without alcohol.
If you want to use mouthwash and are uncertain what kind is best for you, ask your provider at the Carson office for a recommendation.
Braces make good home dental care more challenging, certainly, but if you or your child have braces, continuing proper oral hygiene is even more important because braces trap food particles that can lead to decay. You can brush normally but take extra care to brush around the brackets and remove trapped food particles.
Flossing poses more of a challenge. You will have to use waxed string floss (as opposed to unwaxed string floss, which will stick to the braces), a floss pick, or a water flosser to effectively floss around the brackets and wires. You might also want to get interdental flossing brushes to clean the wires and brackets themselves.
The good news is that home dental care costs are minimal. Quality toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss are inexpensive and easy to obtain. Not only that, but good home care can prevent painful (and costly) dental procedures to restore your oral health.
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