A beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime is our ultimate goal when treating patients. Your personal home care plays an important role in achieving that goal.
Your personal home care starts by eating balanced meals, reducing the number of snacks you eat and correctly using the various dental aids that help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.
Take Care of Your Teeth at Home
Toothbrushing
Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.
- Place the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and gently brush using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
- Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
- Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside of the front teeth.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
Electric toothbrushes are also recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.
Flossing
Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.
- Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
- Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
- Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.
Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.
Rinsing
It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush. If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.
Use other dental aids as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist: Interdental brushes, rubber tip stimulators, tongue cleaners, irrigation devices, fluoride, medicated rinses, etc., can all play a role in good dental home care.
Use Tongue Scrapers
A great oral hygiene tip that most people aren’t aware of is using a tongue scraper first thing in the morning to get rid of the bacteria that forms in your mouth during your sleep at night. Tongue scrapers can be bought at the store in the form of plastic or reusable stainless steel. Tongue scraping not only improves your overall oral health but it can help eliminate bad breath and improve digestion.
Use Mouthwash
Similar to tongue scraping, rinsing with mouthwash after brushing your teeth or after any meal you eat can help keep your gums, teeth, and mouth healthy. Mouthwash helps freshen your breath as well as remove food debris from your teeth between meals. It is often a more effective option for keeping your breath fresh than chewing gum because some mouthwashes can target cavity prevention, teeth whitening, and other oral health benefits.
Other Dental Tools You Can Use at Home
You can also use other dental aids as recommended by your dentist or dental hygienist: Interdental brushes, rubber tip stimulators, tongue cleaners, irrigation devices, fluoride, medicated rinses, etc., can all play a role in good dental home care.
Why Dental Home Care Matters
Professional dental care is an important part of maintaining oral health, but the majority of preventive care actually happens at home. Brushing, flossing, and following a consistent oral hygiene routine help remove plaque before it has the chance to harden into tartar. When plaque accumulates, it can lead to cavities, gum inflammation, and more advanced dental problems such as periodontal disease.
Strong home care habits also help protect dental restorations such as fillings, crowns, and implants. Even the most durable dental work depends on healthy surrounding teeth and gums to remain stable. Patients who maintain good daily oral hygiene typically experience fewer dental problems and are less likely to require extensive treatments later.
Dr. Holbrook encourages patients to view home dental care as the foundation of long-term oral health. When daily habits are combined with regular dental exams and professional cleanings, it becomes much easier to maintain a strong, healthy smile for years to come.
Signs Your Home Care Routine May Need Improvement
Even patients who brush and floss daily can sometimes experience plaque buildup if their routine is not fully effective. Certain signs may indicate that your oral hygiene habits need adjustment.
Common indicators include:
- Gums that bleed when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath that does not improve after brushing
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- A sticky film on the teeth when you wake up
- Sensitivity near the gumline
These symptoms often point to plaque accumulation along the gumline or between teeth. Fortunately, improving brushing technique, flossing more consistently, or using additional dental tools can often resolve the issue.
During routine visits, Dr. Holbrook and the hygiene team review each patient’s home care routine and may recommend specific tools such as electric toothbrushes, interdental brushes, or water flossers. Personalized guidance can make a significant difference in preventing cavities and gum disease.
Why Professional Dental Cleanings Are Still Necessary
Even with excellent brushing and flossing habits, professional dental cleanings remain essential for maintaining oral health. Plaque can harden into tartar within a relatively short period of time, and once tartar forms it cannot be removed with brushing alone.
During your routine dental cleaning, a hygienist carefully removes plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline. The teeth are then polished to smooth the surfaces and make it more difficult for plaque to accumulate again.
Dr. Holbrook also performs a comprehensive dental exam during these visits. This enables early detection of issues such as tooth decay, gum inflammation, or worn restorations before they become more complex problems.
Dental Home Care FAQs
Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush?
Both types of toothbrushes can clean teeth effectively when used correctly. However, electric toothbrushes often make brushing easier because they provide consistent motion and many models include timers to help ensure adequate brushing time.
Do I really need to floss every day?
Yes. Flossing removes plaque and food debris between teeth where toothbrush bristles cannot reach. Skipping flossing allows bacteria to remain in these areas, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Can mouthwash replace brushing or flossing?
No. Mouthwash can help freshen breath and reduce bacteria, but it should be used as a supplement to brushing and flossing rather than a replacement for them.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested maintaining your dental hygiene, call 505-881-1159 to schedule a consultation at our office in Albuquerque, NM.
