Other Aspects of a Good Hygiene Routine

For the most part, the basics of good dental hygiene aren’t necessarily complicated or difficult to remember. However, sticking to them on a consistent basis, and remembering the little things that don’t involve brushing and flossing your teeth, can sometimes be challenging. Unfortunately, forgetting the little things that keep a hygiene routine strong is often how people still develop common dental concerns, like tooth decay and gum disease. Today, we help you remember some of the other aspects of a good hygiene routine that are often easier to forget, and how they can impact the overall state of your oral health.

Avoid feeding oral bacteria too much

Most people recognize that oral bacteria are what make plaque and tartar a threat to their oral health. However, the more specific concerns are the substances that these bacteria produce after metabolizing nutrients in your food and beverages. Some produce acids that weaken your tooth enamel, making it possible for the bacteria to infect your tooth structure. Others irritate your gum tissues and cause them to separate from your teeth, allowing more bacteria to gather underneath and infect them. In addition to limiting bacteria buildup by brushing and flossing every day, it’s also important to control their metabolization by limiting how often you snack throughout the day.

The schedule you stick to matters

Consistency is another important aspect of good hygiene that’s easy to underestimate, or forget to stick to all the time. The reason why brushing your teeth twice and flossing at least once, every day, is necessary is because oral bacteria accumulate on your teeth and along your gum line every day. Even with consistent brushing and flossing you, the minor spots of plaque you miss can quickly calcify into tartar, meaning you won’t be able to brush or floss them away next time. Sticking to a consistent schedule of checkups and cleanings is important to ensure that your dentist or hygienist can routinely remove tartar and more effectively protect your smile.

No warning sign should be ignored

When you take good care of your smile as part of your daily life, you’re more likely to notice when something isn’t right. Not every concern starts with a toothache, and some warning signs can be hard to miss if you don’t look carefully. If you notice things like bleeding when you brush and floss, changes in your teeth’s appearance, teeth shifting positions, or other changes, then you should inform your dentist rather than ignoring the symptoms.

Learn more about better dental hygiene

The point of good dental hygiene is to keep your smile healthy and safe from common concerns, which can sometimes mean more than just brushing and flossing consistently. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, today at 903-455-5750. We proudly serve patients from Hunt County, Greenville, Royce City, Sulphur Springs, and all surrounding communities.