Routine

You may think that your dental routine is pretty good, comparatively. At least you’re not the type to answer your dentist when he or she asks when the last time you flossed with, “Dude, you were there.”

Maybe you brush twice a day, floss and use mouthwash almost every night—what more can you do? We’re glad you asked, because where dental hygiene is concerned, there’s always room for improvement. And when the consequences for poor oral hygiene extend past just a few cavities to painful root canals and a range gum diseases that can do everything from give you bad breath to infecting the ligaments and bone that support your teeth, the risks are simply too great.

Here are a few tips that can help you improve your dental routine and your oral health.

Get the Right Tools

It’s all well and good if you’re giving them a brush every day and night, but not if you’re not using the right equipment. You want to be brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled brush that fits comfortably in your mouth. This will remove the food and plaque without damaging your gums. A fluoride mouthwash used after you floss and brush at night will give your enamel extra protection.

Soft brushes vs Electric

Soft bristles are nice, however electric toothbrushes have advantages too. The rotating and oscillating movement of the toothbrush head removes the plaque from your teeth more efficiently than a regular toothbrush. Just make sure the one you choose is comfortable to hold and easy to use.

In the right hands a soft brush has the ability to reach your gums effectively.

Use the Right Brushing Technique

In addition to the right equipment, ask yourself if you’re even doing the brushing part right. The correct brushing technique is to place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward your gum line and then gently move the bristles in circles. Make sure you’re brushing the outer, inner and biting surfaces, as well as your tongue and the roof of your mouth. Brush for a full two minutes in order to really be thorough.

Don’t Forget About Flossing

When it comes to flossing, the biggest chore on Earth, you should really learn the correct technique. The correct way to floss is to pull a very long strand of floss from the dispenser, then wrap the ends around your index and middle fingers. Hold the floss tightly around each tooth in a C shape, and move the floss back and forth in a push-pull motion up and down against the side of each tooth.

Eat Better

While this doesn’t seem like a dental routine, eating a balanced diet is a very good thing for your oral health. We’re talking more whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and high quality proteins (all of which stimulate the flow of saliva and therefore help remove plaque and food from your teeth), and less sugary drinks and starchy carbs.

Of course, preventative dentistry and regular checkups should be a part of your dental routine. To book an appointment for a check-up or any dental service in greater Brisbane, call Showground Dental today on 07 3852 2882 or contact us online.

Nobody truly relishes the opportunity to visit their dentist. While many of us actually go twice a year for scheduled preventative dentistry visits, many more of us make an appointment when there is a problem. Some problems are temporary, like bad breath or mouth sores, and others are more permanent and are definitely cause for concern. So if you’re wondering which of the signs means that you should really gather your courage and head to the dentist, here are a few signs that you shouldn’t ignore.

You Have a Toothache, Even a Little One

This one seems to go without saying, yet people put off going to the dentist for a toothache everyday. Popping Ibuprofen may help the symptoms of pain in the short run, but you have to remember that the pain is never a sign of something that will go away when it comes to your teeth. If it’s a cavity that has grown so large that it’s affecting the nerves, you need to address this immediately before it causes an infection in the nerve area which could lead to loss of tooth. Pain is a sign of an infection or abscess that results from untreated tooth decay, cracked or broken teeth or filling, or even from a gum disease.

Waiting for the ache to go away will not end in your favour. It will certainly just get worse, so see your dentist before you’re in pain and on your way to killing and losing your tooth.

Your Gums Are Bleeding

Bleeding gums can be the result of many things. Maybe you’re brushing too hard with a brush with hard bristles, or maybe you’ve just picked up flossing and you are noticing inflamed gum more than before. However, bleeding gums can also be indicative of gingivitis or gum disease. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. When plaque on your teeth at the gum line isn’t removed by brushing and flossing, this can infect the gums, causing them to be swollen and tender, which may lead to bleeding during brushing. In order to make sure you are treating bleeding gums correctly, you need to see your dentist, especially if this is happening on a regular basis.

You Suspect or Know Your Tooth is Cracked

You may not always be aware of having a cracked tooth, as hairline cracks in your teeth aren’t always visible. However, you’ll certainly know once you start feeling the pain.

Pain from a cracked tooth is usually erratic, happening mostly when you’re chewing, possibly with the release of biting pressure. You may also experience pain when the tooth is exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures. The pain often comes and goes, and you may not even feel it in the affected tooth.

Cracked teeth are caused by brittle teeth, grinding or injury. If you don’t have it looked at right away, you could face some serious problems in the future, including infections and loss of tooth.

Are you experiencing similar signs? Then you probably need to see your dentist pronto. To book an appointment for a check-up or any other dental service in greater Brisbane, call Showground Dental today on 07 3852 2882 or contact us online.