Basic Dental Care: Brushing, Flossing & Diet Tips

By Kurt Echols, DDS
Dental Director

Basic dental care consists of daily care at home and preventive care provided by dental professionals. The intention of basic dental care is to reduce the incidence of tooth decay and gum disease. The results, however, can be even farther-reaching.

By practicing good home care and utilizing preventive care with a dentist or hygienist, people experience less tooth loss and oral infection over a lifetime. This is due to earlier detection and correction of disease processes, coupled with home care review and instruction every six months.

Brushing

The first part of good home care is efficient and thorough toothbrushing. This should be done with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste, hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline. Brush both tooth and gum in a gentle, circular motion. Be sure to brush the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of all your teeth. This should be done twice a day for two minutes each time.

Flossing

Plaque, bacteria and food particles can still linger between the teeth, where toothbrush bristles cannot reach. Use floss or a water flosser to clean these harder-to-reach areas. This should be done once a day.

Diet

Diet can also influence oral health. Limit sugary foods, snacks and drinks because oral bacteria convert sugar into enamel-damaging plaque. Drinking water after sugar intake helps to rinse food debris away and clear sugary residue. Additionally, chewing gum that contains xylitol has been shown to decrease tooth decay in studies by clearing food debris, disturbing bacterial activity and stimulating salivary production.

Oral health is important for everyone. Pathogens found in oral infections have been linked to systemic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and dementia. A routine dental checkup can lead to fixing a smile, relieving a toothache or helping to control blood sugar levels. As time goes on, the list of conditions impacted by oral infection is likely to grow.

Take the first step toward a healthier mouth and better health in general. Reach out today to have your needs assessed. Call us at 913-276-7004 to schedule an appointment with our dental department.