Good oral hygiene is very important in the prevention of plaque, tartar, cavities, and severe gum disease. Keeping teeth healthy at home combined with regular trips to the dentist will reduce the risk of any problems in the future. A good ally in the fight against gum disease is the toothbrush. Dentists say that the best kind of brush needs to have soft, round bristles. People think that harder bristles produce better results, but dentists recommend that consumers stay away. Electric power toothbrushes are another myth according to professionals. Manual brushing gives the best chance against teeth and gum conditions. The best oral hygiene also means getting a brush that is right for each individual. Be sure and purchase one that is proportionate with the size of your mouth.

What’s the point in having a good toothbrush if it doesn’t have good toothpaste to go on it? Toothbrushes are very important, but so is the paste that goes on it. Studies have proven that buying toothpaste that has fluoride in it is the best way to keep your mouth healthy and clean. There are many different kinds of ingredients that go into toothpaste today. Each tends to focus on certain goals like whitening, tartar control, strengthening the gums, etc. Some even have baking soda in them which is what was used before modern toothpaste. Surprisingly, baking soda is still proven to be an effective teeth cleaning agent. None of these should be used over fluoride though. This ingredient helps prevent tooth decay. Consult with a dentist to see which kind of toothpaste would be the best to use.

Flossing is another important part of oral hygiene. If the toothbrush is like a riding lawn mower, then flossing is like a weed eater. Flossing gets in between each tooth. Brushing and flossing your teeth need to work in harmony with each other in order to maintain good oral hygiene. If this is so important, then why do people make excuses not to do it? Some people say that they simply do not have the extra time to floss. Others say that it hurts to do it, and it causes the gums to bleed. Although these may be good excuses, everybody still needs to do this after every meal. If this is not done on a regular basis, the gums may bleed at first just a little bit. This should stop after about a week.

It doesn’t matter what kind of floss is used. If it is the regular kind, then tear off about 18 inches, wind the ends around your middle finger, and pinch with the thumb. This gives you about one inch to floss with. To save time, companies have produced a tool that holds a section of floss so consumers will not have to wrap it around their fingers. It has a small handle so it can be pinched and controlled better.

All of this can be done at home. To maintain the best oral hygiene possible, though, regular visits to the dentist are a must. Dentists can run tests and spot problems before they get too severe. Working together is the best solution.

Houston Dentist is an expert in cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dental teeth procedures and oral hygiene.

For your dental needs please contact us at http://www.houstondentists.org/

Author Bio: Houston Dentist is an expert in cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dental teeth procedures and oral hygiene.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Oral Hygiene, Dental Health, Flossing, Brushing, Teeth Cleaning, Dentistry