{"id":734,"date":"2024-12-26T21:57:08","date_gmt":"2024-12-26T21:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mwdentalcenter.com\/blog\/?p=734"},"modified":"2025-01-29T21:57:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T21:57:20","slug":"oral-hygiene-practices-you-should-not-skip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mwdentalcenter.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/26\/oral-hygiene-practices-you-should-not-skip\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Oral Hygiene Practices You Shouldn\u2019t Skip (& Why!)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Woman<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Be honest\u2026 Is your dental care regimen not really a regimen at all? If so, that\u2019s okay \u2013 there\u2019s no time like the present to see where improvements can be made to keep your teeth decay-free<\/a> and your gums infection-free. If you\u2019re not quite sure where to start, then keep reading to learn five oral hygiene practices you shouldn\u2019t skip and why!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Flossing Each Morning or Evening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Spotlight Oral Care, a whopping 58% of people never floss. Not only that, but roughly 47% only floss on a weekly basis. If you fall into either of these statistics, it\u2019s important to know that brushing alone only cleans about 60% of the surface of your teeth. To clean the remaining 40% (and reduce your risk of common oral health problems, like cavities), you need to floss!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Rinsing with Mouthwash for 30-60 Seconds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash has numerous benefits \u2013 from preventing plaque build-up to keeping your breath minty-fresh. So, if you aren\u2019t already, use an ADA-approved one each morning or evening before bed. Make sure to follow the directions on the label too; 30-60 seconds is longer than you think!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Replacing Your Toothbrush Every Quarter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using an old toothbrush to clean your teeth is like using a dirty sponge to clean your dishes; it doesn\u2019t work! So, make sure that you replace yours every quarter (before<\/em> the bristles get old, frayed, and dirty). If you want to cut back on plastic waste, then consider getting an electric one. That way, you can replace the head instead of the entire toothbrush!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Cleaning Your Tongue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oftentimes, patients focus solely on their teeth and gums. However, your tongue takes up a lot of real estate in your mouth! To prevent a white, sticky, and smelly film from developing on the surface, you should clean it every day with a tongue scraper. You can also use the bristles of your toothbrush. Just make sure to clean from the back of your tongue to the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Getting a Dental Checkup and Cleaning Biannually<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a common misconception that dental checkups and teeth cleanings are optional. Quite the opposite is true: they play a crucial role in preventing tooth decay, removing plaque build-up, and catching oral cancer in the early stages. So, if it\u2019s been more than six months since your last visit, it\u2019s time to get your next appointment on the calendar!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Steven Kendrick<\/a> and the rest of our dental team in Midwest City share a goal of helping each person who walks through our office doors achieve a healthy, happy smile. That\u2019s why we offer a wide range of preventive dental treatments and utilize the latest dental technology, like Overjet Dental AI, to catch tooth decay in the initial stages. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with us, then get in touch via our website<\/a> or by phone at (405) 732-0431<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Be honest\u2026 Is your dental care regimen not really a regimen at all? If so, that\u2019s okay \u2013 there\u2019s no time like the present to see where improvements can be made to keep your teeth decay-free and your gums infection-free. If you\u2019re not quite sure where to start, then keep reading to learn five oral […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n5 Oral Hygiene Practices You Shouldn\u2019t Skip (& Why!)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Does your dental care regimen consist solely of brushing? 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