While regular dental appointments at our dental clinic are needed to keep your oral health on track, the majority of your dental care happens at home. Everyday dental care involves brushing your teeth and flossing, but sometimes, you can feel the need for deeper cleaning.
To avoid harming your teeth while trying to deep clean them, there are some things you should do, such as use the right products and others that you definitely avoid, such as using unsuitable tools.
Do These Things To Deep Clean Your Teeth At Home
When you are cleaning your teeth at home, there are several things you can do in addition to the regular recommendations, particularly if you are prone to developing tartar and dental plaque.
1. Extend Your Teeth Brushing Time
Generally, it is recommended that you brush your teeth for two minutes, with 30 seconds allotted for each quadrant of your mouth. You may want to set a timer, as many people underestimate the time they need to spend. And, instead of spending only two minutes, you can extend your brushing time to three or four minutes.
While you don’t want to overbrush your teeth and wear grooves into them, going for an extra three-to-four minutes can help ensure you get every nook and cranny of your teeth.
2. Alternate Which Toothpaste You Use
Often, we will recommend the use of fluoride toothpaste to help protect your teeth. But, for those who are concerned about tartar and plaque build-up on their teeth, you can alternate what toothpaste you use.
Different kinds of toothpastes generally have formulas that concentrate on fighting a specific dental issue, from high fluoride toothpaste for tooth decay prevention to whitening toothpaste. To get the most benefits, alternate days on what toothpaste you use.
3. Add Plenty Of Fruits And Veggies To Your Diet
Fresh fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that your teeth need to stay healthy. By eating a more varied diet and cutting out processed—and likely highly sugary or carb-loaded—foods, you can better protect your teeth long term.
4. Stick To Effective Flossing
While the research behind flossing your teeth is still developing, there is nothing harmful about effective flossing techniques and a lot to recommend it. Flossing at least once a day allows you to remove food particles from hard-to-reach places without resorting to toothpicks, which can harm your gums.
5. Always Brush Your Teeth Gently
Speaking of pressing too hard, deep cleaning your teeth has nothing to do with brushing your teeth with hard pressure. Instead, you should brush your teeth gently, and avoid applying hard pressure, as it can wear down the enamel of your teeth, rather than deep cleaning.
Also, be sure that you are using a soft-bristled toothbrush. That way, you remain careful with your dental enamel.
Don’t Ever Do These Things To Your Teeth
There are several things you should never do to your teeth, whether you are cleaning them or just going about your day. Otherwise, you may find yourself in need of our dental services sooner than you would like.
1. Don’t Make Your Gums Bleed
There are several instances where your gums may bleed, whether when brushing or flossing. When you first start flossing, there may be a little blood. If you continue to gently floss, that should stop, as long as you aren’t pressing hard. With brushing, a bit of blood can indicate the early stages of gingivitis.
To avoid infection, be gentle as you brush and floss. Too much pressure and vigorous brushing can cause your gums to recede. Instead, you can come in for scaling and root planing if you want a deeper, professional clean for your teeth.
2. Avoid Using “Natural” Toothpaste
Most kinds of toothpastes that are touted as natural use agents like charcoal, or coarse, poorly-incorporated baking soda. While baking soda is used in some professionally-formulated toothpaste, these natural kinds of toothpaste are grittier, as are most natural toothpastes.
While it may make you feel like the grit is getting more off, your teeth aren’t dirty grout, and you don’t need high grit to get them clean. Instead, you would carve grooves into your teeth with natural toothpastes and wear down your enamel faster.
3. Do Not Use A Plaque Scraper
Some drugstores and grocery stores sell non-medical grade plaque scrapers. While these tools may look like the ones that are used in our dental clinic, they aren’t the same and shouldn’t be used for deep cleaning. Mostly because they are still sharp, and it is easy to slip and cut yourself, as well as pressing too hard and digging grooves into your teeth.
4. Don’t Use Your Teeth As Tools
When you lack scissors to cut off an annoying string, or there is a stubborn plastic package that won’t open, it is tempting to use your teeth to force the issue.
But your teeth aren’t tools, and if you don’t want to end up with a dental emergency due to a chipped tooth, you will avoid using your teeth for any other work than chewing food.
5. Keep From Chewing On Non-food Items
As for chewing on non-food items, our best advice is to not do it. It can be tough, especially if you’ve formed the absentminded habit of chewing on the end of your pen or other non-edible object.
To protect your teeth from having the edges worn down prematurely, do your best to catch yourself if you find you’re chewing on something you can’t eat.
Visit Bridge Creek Dental In Billings, MT For Professional Dental Care
Whether you need a routine dental cleaning or would like to consult about cosmetic dentistry, Bridge Creek Dental is here for Billings, MT, locals. So, if you are ready for your biannual dental cleaning, whether for you or the whole family, feel free to contact us today to set up your appointment.