At-home dental care: True or false?

It is very important to see your dentist at least once a year. They can easily spot early signs of dental health problems, like cavities, gingivitis, or even diabetes. Because of coronavirus pandemic, they may only be open for only serious dental emergencies. But you do not have to worry — good dental hygiene actually starts at home. Home dental care

How you can Clean Your Teeth and Gums at Home (Hone dental care)

Your goal is to deal with the plaque. That’s a clear problem that clings on your teeth. It is mostly made up of bacteria that produce acid when you eat or drink.

These bacteria are like sugar. After some time, that acid can break down the hard coating, or enamel, of your teeth. This leads to cavities. It may also creep into your gum line. You are most likely to get gingivitis. That is an infection in your gums.

Plaque buildup can become tartar, or calculus. This is the hard stuff the dentist scrapes off at your teeth cleaning. They will use a special tool and a technique called scaling.

This is not something you should try at home. To keep your teeth and gums in good shape, you can try doing the following:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. You can use an electric toothbrush or a regular one with soft bristles. Gently brush for a minimum of two minutes.
Use fluoride toothpaste. Inquire from your dentist if you need a certain type of fluoride. They can give you a prescription for a special kind.
Always replace your old toothbrush. Get a new toothbrush every three to four months. Replace it out sooner if the bristles start to wear out.
Always clean between your teeth once a day. Your dentist will tell you to use an “inter-dental cleaner.” That includes tools like: String floss, Floss picks and Water flossers. Avoid using your fingernail, a safety pin, or any another household item.
Use a mouthwash. You will want a therapeutic, or antiseptic, rinse. It helps control plaque, gingivitis, bad breath, germs, and tooth decay. Children below the age of 6 should not use mouthwash. They are most likely to swallow it.
Try drinking water with fluoride. That is the water that comes from your tap. Bottled water may not have enough fluoride.
Also chew sugar-free gum. When you are chewing, make more saliva. A wet mouth can help protect against cavities and gum disease. Always chew a piece of non sugar chewing gum after you eat or throughout the day to help with dry mouth.

Is Gums Bleeding something you should worry about?

It is normal to see some red if you have not flossed in a while or even ever. It will take a week or more for your gums to get used to the new routine. You should keep flossing, but you should do it gently.

If bleeding continues every time you brush or floss, that could be a sign of gingivitis or more serious gum disease. You should contact your dentist contact.

Do You really Need to Scrape Your Tongue?

There is no scientific evidence that scraping your tongue is a good way to remove germs. Similarly the kind that can cause the bad breath (halitosis). However there is nothing wrong with cleaning your tongue. You can buy a special scraper or use your toothbrush.

What you should When You are Sick

Even if you do not feel well, you should still try to brush your teeth two times a day. You can also:

Use of sugar-free cough drops.
Rinse with water or diluted mouthwash in case you throw up.
Avoid a dry mouth with plain water (no sugar or acidic lemon).

It is unlikely that you will reinfect yourself. So you do not need to throw out a new toothbrush. And most importantly do not share your toothbrush with anyone else.