While good dental hygiene and continuously healthy teeth can sometimes be more complex than you expect, the general rule is to keep your teeth as clean as possible, for as long as possible. That’s because the microbes the dirty their surface every day – the bacteria that make up dental plaque – can pose a serious threat to your teeth and oral tissues they aren’t cleaned away consistently. The most important step in doing so is to develop and stick to a good dental hygiene routine every single day. Yet, it may take a little more than just brushing and flossing your teeth to keep them as clean as they need to be to remain healthy for life.

Is your hygiene routine up to par?

Good hygiene may mean slightly more than just brushing and flossing, but the actions are vital to maintaining your good dental hygiene routine. This means brushing your teeth at least twice every day and flossing at least once, without skipping either even once. As you’re cleaning your teeth, it’s also important to pay close attention to removing bacteria buildup from every surface of your teeth. Any spot of plaque that you miss may calcify into tartar, which you won’t be able to clean off of your teeth with just your toothpaste, toothbrush, and water.

What builds up on your teeth during the day?

Cleaning your teeth at the bathroom sink at least twice a day will remove the oral bacteria and food particles that have built up on them up to that moment. However, dental plaque doesn’t just appear suddenly on your teeth twice a day. On the contrary, oral bacteria constantly accumulate on your teeth surfaces and form plaque, and things you expose your teeth to during the day can accelerate that buildup. For instance, snacking too often can overfeed harmful oral bacteria and make them hyperactive. By the time you brush and floss your teeth in the evening, you may have more plaque to contend with than usual.

How can keep your teeth clean longer?

It’s important not to skip cleaning your teeth every day, otherwise plaque and oral bacteria may overwhelm them. It’s also important to be aware of what your teeth go through each day. If things like your eating habits are making it harder for you to keep them consistently clean and healthy, then your teeth can still be at risk for things like cavities, gingivitis, and other concerns caused by harmful oral bacteria. To make the most of your dental hygiene skills, be sure to add visiting your dentist at least twice a year to your good dental hygiene to-do list.

Learn how to keep your teeth optimally clean

Keeping your teeth clean is an ongoing process, and it may take a little more care than you realize to do it successfully throughout every day. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and all neighboring communities.