Covid-19 has kept us all indoors, and unable to visit the dentist! We hope you are keeping well during these times, and managing to staying motivated on your home care routine. We have compiled a few tips that you might find useful till we next see you.
Brush your teeth for two minutes
You should spend two minutes brushing for an effective clean of your teeth. Use a toothbrush with soft or very soft bristles and select a toothbrush head that is small enough to reach all parts of your mouth. Once you are done, your teeth should feel nice and smooth all around. Consider it time well spent :) Plaque can also build up on your tongue so remember to gently brush your tongue from back to front every time you brush your teeth.
Electric toothbrushes are very effective in removing bacterial plaque, especially from the backs of the front teeth, as well as around the last molars. If using an electric toothbrush, we would advise to use the electric brush once a day, and a manual brush the other times. Remember to replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3 to 4 months.
Floss: The right technique
Tear a 30-cm strand of floss. Gently work the floss between the teeth toward the gums. Curve the floss around each tooth into a U-shape, and this bit is important: gently slide it under the gum line. Move the floss firmly up and down several times to scrape the plaque off before sliding or lifting the floss out. Remember to curve the floss around both the teeth in each space, so you will need to go in each space twice.
Make it easier for you to floss
Flossing can be difficult, especially for young children and older adults or people with arthritis. Rather than give up, look for tools that can help you floss your teeth like flossers or interdental brushes. Flossers are attached to a handle which makes flossing easier, and interdental brushes are the little brushes that look like bottle brushes. If you prefer to use interdental brushes, please use the size and colour recommended by your dentist as they have different sizes.
Rinse if preferred or as advised
It is always helpful to finish your home cleaning routine using mouthwash as they can help reduce the amount of acid in the mouth, clean hard-to-brush areas in and around the gums, and re-mineralise the teeth.
Eat a balanced diet and avoid snacks before bedtime.
Good nutrition is vital to maintaining healthy gums. Eat a balanced diet that includes whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Avoid frequently snacking on foods that contain a lot of sugar like sweets, dried fruits, and sticky carbohydrates as the more time sugar stays in contact with your teeth, the more damage it will do. Eating cheese or an apple after having something sweet and sticky is a small step and an easy way to clean your teeth. Cheeses, nuts and yogurt are good for your teeth as they help clear your mouth of harmful sugars.
Saliva neutralises acids in the foods that we eat. However, this neutralising quality is minimised while we are sleeping as saliva production is reduced. As such, it is advisable not to snack before bedtime.
Remember that good home care will help you to protect your teeth and gum health and prevent future dental problems.
If you found these helpful, please feel free to forward it to your friends and family. Artiste Studios looks forward welcoming them, and also to seeing you again before long!
XOXO