Our Bloomingdale dentists believe in working in cooperation with our patients to help every person achieve optimal dental health. The best way to prevent cavities is to partner at-home care with professional cleanings at least twice a year. Essentially you prevent plaque build-up on a daily basis, and every six months your dentist gives you clean smile to maintain until your next appointment. Many patients wonder how they can improve their daily oral hygiene routines—and consequently end up with better dental check-ups during the year! Here are some general tips to follow when choosing dental hygiene materials:

Start with the right tools

When choosing a toothbrush, make sure that it’s correctly sized for your mouth. The head of the toothbrush should be small enough to fit into the back corners of your mouth and effectively brush back molars. It’s also important to use bristles that are not too abrasive—hard bristles will wear your enamel down prematurely and cause gum irritation.

When choosing a toothpaste look for a fluoridated formula that will help remineralize dental enamel. Most toothpastes today are fluoridated, with the exception of toothpastes for very young children who are likely to swallow it—fluoridated toothpaste should not be swallowed by children with developing teeth because they may develop dental fluorosis.

Most patients should be brushing at least twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed. You may additionally benefit from brushing after meals to minimize plaque build-up. Combining twice daily brushing with regular flossing decreases bacterial accumulation on dental enamel, consequently diminishing cavities.

Give our Bloomingdale general dentists a call if you have any questions about daily dental care or professional cleanings. Diligent preventative dental care is your best defense against infection, cavities, and tooth loss.