At Pine Dental & Aesthetics in Belmont, Sutton, we understand the importance of good oral hygiene routines and we’re here to guide our dental patients to achieving a healthy and radiant smile.
Developing good oral care habits might not always be a top priority in a fast-paced world where time is money. Truth be told, our daily lives are busy. However, the power of habit cannot be underestimated, especially when it comes to maintaining optimal oral health and we should strive to include teeth cleaning tips within our routine.
This article will discuss the best oral hygiene practices you can include and tops tips for healthier teeth and gums in Sutton.
The foundation of the best oral hygiene routine
The best dental care routine involves multiple key practices, each playing a vital role in maintaining dental health. This means reducing your risk of dental decay, cavities, gum disease and bad breath.
1. Brushing
A centrepiece of any good teeth cleaning routine is regular toothbrushing. The simple act of brushing your teeth, especially when including the best brushing techniques for healthier teeth, can prevent a significant number of dental and oral health issues.
At Pine Dental & Aesthetics in Sutton, we want to share some essential tips for effective brushing:
- Choose the right toothbrush: Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Ideally, using an electric toothbrush with a small and round head will be more effective in reaching all areas of the mouth. We advise replacing your toothbrush head every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are splayed.
- Frequency: Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is essential. We advise brushing in the morning before eating breakfast and before you go to sleep. If you have time, it’s beneficial to brush 20-30 minutes after each meal.
- Technique: Aim your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle towards your gum line, making sure you are brushing half your gum and half your tooth wherever you are in your mouth. We advise looking in a mirror to make sure you are covering all areas and starting at a different area in your mouth each time you brush. Hold the electric toothbrush gently or use a manual toothbrush with gentle circular motions. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, ideally with a tongue scraper.
- Toothpaste: Use a fluoridated toothpaste to strengthen your teeth and protect against cavities.
Remember, as a Pine Dental & Aesthetics is a family dentist in Sutton and we recommend the above teeth cleaning tips for the whole family.
2. Flossing
While brushing is essential, it can’t reach the tight spaces between your teeth and along the gumline where bacteria and food can collect. This is where flossing (or using interdental brushes) becomes crucial:
- Daily routine: Incorporate flossing into your daily routine to remove food particles and plaque buildup that brushing alone might miss. We advise flossing at night.
- Technique: Use a gentle back-and-forth motion to guide the floss between your teeth. Curve it around each tooth and go beneath the gum line, being careful not to snap it against the gums. Then, use a scooping motion to dislodge food particles and remove bacteria.
- Benefits: Flossing helps reduce the risk of gum disease, prevents cavities between teeth, and promotes fresher breath.
At your dental examination appointment in Sutton, our dentist will show you the correct technique to flossing and provide teeth cleaning tips.
By combining these practices—brushing with fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing—you ensure a more comprehensive clean, which is key to maintaining optimal oral health.
3. Being mindful of your diet
At Pine Dental & Aesthetics in Sutton, we know that your diet plays a crucial role in your oral health. Consuming a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals helps to support strong teeth and gums, and helps to improve your general health and well-being.
- Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your meals.
- Reduce sugary snacks and beverages, as sugar can lead to tooth decay.
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day also helps flush away debris and maintains saliva production, which is essential for neutralising acids and protecting your teeth.
4. Regular dental check-ups and hygiene cleans
It’s vital to ensure you are regularly attending your dental check-up and hygiene cleans to maintain optimal oral health. We recommend you see the dentist every 6 months at our dental practice in Sutton so that they can carry out a dental examination.
Your dentist can identify potential concerns early on and give you advice on how to improve your routine. Dental hygiene cleans remove plaque, calculus and tartar build up to prevent issues such as dental decay, cavities and gum disease.
At Pine Dental & Aesthetics we are a family dental practice in Sutton and provide dental services for the whole family. Please see our website for fees.
Book a dental hygiene consultation to perfect your brushing technique.
The power of building small habits
Developing good oral care habits has a positive impact on your oral health and overall general health too. Research has shown that poor oral health is linked to various systemic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and even respiratory infections. This is why it is crucial to improve your oral hygiene routine at home and also have gentle teeth cleaning in Sutton.
By adopting and consistently following a well-rounded oral care routine that includes regular brushing, flossing, a balanced diet and professional dental care, you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of healthy smiles and investing in your wellbeing on a holistic level.
Invest the time and effort today into developing and maintaining good oral care habits.
Speak to a member of our team to discuss how to maintain healthy gums and oral care for busy professionals.
Book a consultation
Take the first step towards healthier gums—book your dental hygiene appointment today!
Pine Dental & Aesthetics is located in Belmont, Sutton directly next to Belmont Train Station, and bus stops, and has plenty of free parking spaces.
Call us on 020 3535 6260 or email hello@pinedental.co.uk to speak to a member of our team to start your new smile journey.
1 Station Approach, Belmont, Sutton SM2 6DD