Proper dental care is the foundation of a healthy smile, but small mistakes can have big consequences. Keeping a healthy smile is a lifetime effort, and you must be diligent about your daily habits. The more you care about your dental care routine, the less likely you will be to have dental problems. Good dental health starts at home—in this post, we share a few simple do’s and don’ts for at-home dental care.
What Is the Best Dental Care Routine?
Your daily oral health routine can make or break a beautiful smile. Here’s how to take good care of your teeth at home.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gums is the best method for removing plaque and bacteria. Make sure you are brushing all the surfaces of your teeth: front, back, sides, and chewing surfaces.
Floss at least once a day. Use the dental floss to “hug” each tooth snugly in both directions while using up and down strokes to clean between your teeth. From our hygienist’s perspective, the gums are healthier when using a water flosser. Physical floss does well to remove the biofilm attached to the tooth, and water flossers are better at flushing out debris. For the very best results, some of our patients use both.
Don’t forget to brush your tongue. Bacteria love to hide between your taste buds, so make sure you brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. You can even get a tongue scraper if you prefer.
Using antibacterial mouthwash will help you keep the bacteria in your mouth to a minimum. It also helps to wash away food debris and reduces plaque buildup.
And visit your dentist regularly. Dental exams and cleanings at least twice a year will help keep tartar and plaque to a minimum. They also allow you to make sure your at-home dental care routine is working and to make adjustments based on your dentist’s recommendations.
The Do’s of At-Home Dental Care
Now that you know what a proper dental care routine should include, let’s look at some of the do’s of at-home dental care.
- Do make sure you are using the proper brushing technique, which we can explain to you at your appointment.
- Do use a soft-bristled toothbrush, as medium or hard bristles can harm your teeth and gums.
- Do clean your toothbrush by letting hot water flow over it while you run your thumb over the bristles to get anything out that may be stuck in them.
- Do replace your toothbrush often, every three to four months, since worn-out brushes are ineffective and can also harbor bacteria.
- Do use proper home dental care products, which we can help you with at one of your appointments. The right products will help keep your teeth healthy and tartar-free.
The Don’ts of At-Home Dental Care
And here are some things you should not do if you want to keep your teeth healthy and safe.
- Don’t rush or brush too hard. If you rush brushing your teeth, you risk missing spots. We recommend brushing for at least 2 minutes. Also, don’t brush too hard, as this can injure your gums and harm your tooth enamel.
- Don’t skip flossing. Flossing helps prevent plaque buildup between your teeth, so cavities and gum disease will have a harder time forming.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools. Using your teeth to open packages or wrappers can cause chips and cracks.
- Don’t consume too many sugary or acidic drinks or foods. These types of foods and beverages can erode your enamel and lead to tooth decay. This warning includes all of you dirty soda warriors and Diet Coke with lemon teachers and nurses. This also includes the energy drink aficionados.
- Don’t ignore signs of dental issues like sudden sensitivity, pain, bleeding gums, or persistent bad breath. If you notice any of these signs, contact us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Establish a Good Routine with Your Dentist in South Jordan, UT
Are you already following a good at-home dental care routine, or are you causing damage to your teeth without realizing it? Your daily dental habits can make or break your smile. Start improving your at-home dental care today by following these simple dos and don’ts—your smile will thank you! And then, Contact Copper Creek Dental to schedule an appointment for your next exam and cleaning.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (03/27/2025) Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay