Best Oral Care Routine: What To Do And In What Order

Oral care benefits body health

Many people brush their teeth because they want a bright, white smile or because they’re scared of getting a cavity. While these are great reasons to brush, the real reason to strive for the best oral care routine is to benefit total health. Plaque accumulation and poor oral health can cause many larger conditions, including:

• Diabetes

• Endocarditis, a condition of the heart caused by excess plaque buildup

• Cardiovascular disease, caused by oral bacterial inflammation

• Pneumonia, caused by oral bacteria inhaled into the lungs

Brushing twice a day doesn’t only ward off cavities, but it can also play an important role in overall body health. Good oral hygiene is one important factor that can help prevent a number of serious diseases or conditions.

Products needed for optimal oral care

There’s more to a great daily brushing routine than your toothbrush and toothpaste. To build the very best oral care routine, you need to find the correct oral care products that fit your needs. Each serve a very important role in total oral healthcare. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need:

• Toothbrush: Experts recommend soft-bristle brushes, as they can prevent to damage your gum tissue and enamel and are more effective at removing plaque around the gum line and between teeth. Studies show that electric toothbrushes generally achieve better results in terms of plaque removal, so you might want to consider it if you’re not a skilful brusher. Have a look at our guide on “How to choose your toothbrush”.

• Toothpaste: Using a fluorinated toothpaste is a great way to protect your teeth against cavities. It’ll help slow the breakdown of enamel (caused by bacteria) and speed up the remineralization process. The use of fluoride toothpaste is also recommended by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) to prevent cavities.  

• Interdentals (floss, interdental brushes or picks): In order to remove as much plaque as possible, you’ll need to combine toothbrushing and interdental cleaning. Some people prefer flossing, some others interdental brushes or picks and other a combination of different tools. Floss is your best ally if you have tight teeth, but studies demonstrate that interdental brushes or picks are more efficient in removing plaque and they also massage and stimulate your gums. Have a look at our guide on “How to choose your interdental” or “How to choose your floss”.

• Mouthwashes: Look for an anti-plaque mouthwash, to reduce bad bacteria from your mouth. Have a look at our guide “How to get the most out of your oral care routine”

These are the products that should be in every person’s routine. They’re far from the only products out there - there are also gum stimulators and many more products designed to help every person create the best routine and own oral care rituals.

What are the signs of poor oral hygiene?

Common signs that your oral hygiene routine is ineffective include:

1. Bleeding when brushing or flossing: Some minor bleeding may occur if you floss irregularly, but after committing to regular flossing for several days it should stop. 
   
2. Swollen gums: Plaque and tartar buildup around the gum line can irritate your gums, making them swollen and inflamed.
   
3. Bad breath: Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, can be an early sign of mouth disease.
4. Dry mouth: Unhealthy mouths produce less saliva than healthy mouths, compromising their ability to fight plaque buildup and infection.
   
5. Temperature sensitivity: If your teeth or gums are overly sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, it may be because your enamel is beginning to wear away.
   
6. Tooth and mouth pain: Tooth and mouth pain can be caused by cavities, other tooth damage, or irritations caused by plaque and tartar buildup.

Having these products in your bathroom is one thing - using them is another. It might seem like a lot of work to brush, clean between your teeth and rinse, but it’s recommended that you brush twice a day for two minutes and take the three full steps (brushing, cleaning between teeth, and rinsing) one time per day, before going to bed. That’s just a fistful of minutes per day! To get maximum results and superior oral health, you’ll need to put these products to work in the right way.

Breaking down the best oral care routine

You understand the role oral care plays in your whole-body health. You have the products necessary to care for your teeth and gums. Now, put it all together. Here’s a look at the best oral care routine - including the proper order for brushing, cleaning between your teeth and rinsing:

• Brush your teeth for two minutes, spending one minute each on the top and bottom. Check out the proper technique.

• Rinse with water, then clean between all teeth, choosing floss if you have tight teeth or an interdental brush or pick - left to right, top then bottom.

• Rinse thoroughly for 30 seconds using an anti-plaque mouthwash.

See, it’s simpler than you might’ve thought - and chances are, you’re already doing this or something similar to it.  

Clean between your teeth, brush and rinse. That’s the best order to do things because it promotes total cleanliness. Brushing removes plaque and dislodges debris. Then, flossing and interdental brushing remove debris and plaque between teeth. Rinsing carries all that loose debris and bacteria away. You’re left with clean teeth, healthy gums, fresh breath and great oral health. Try it for yourself!

Additional oral hygiene tips

1. Never go to bed without brushing your teeth: Saliva production decreases during sleep, allowing plaque to form and acids to wear away at your tooth enamel faster.
   
2. If flossing is uncomfortable, change your technique: Though flossing can produce gum bleeding, it should never be painful. If you’re hurting yourself while flossing, try changing your technique or using a different flossing implement, such as an interdental brush.  
   
3. Drink more water: Drinking water throughout the day helps flush harmful bacteria, food debris, and acids away from your mouth and gums. Most drinking water in the UK also has up to 1mg of fluoride added to it to help prevent tooth decay.
   
4. Limit how much sugary and acidic food you eat: Sugary, acidic foods contain acids that will wear away at your tooth enamel if they remain in your mouth for too long. Avoid drinking excessive amounts of soda or eating excessive amounts of sugar, especially before bed. 
   
5. Visit your dentist regularly: Scheduling appointments with dental professionals twice a year is one of the most effective ways to promote your oral health.

Build the best oral care routine for you

Like most routines, brushing and oral care aren’t one-size-fits-all. While brushing and cleaning between teeth technique could be the same, the products you use might be different. For example, if you have sensitive teeth, you might use a special toothpaste. Or, if you have orthodontics, you might use a rubber interdental pick and anti-plaque mouthwash solution to clean hard-to-reach areas. The best oral care routine is the one that addresses your specific oral health needs and that helps you develop and maintain your perfect fitting routine.

It’s always a smart idea to talk with your dentist to see if he/she recommends any tips for your at-home oral care routine. A dentist-recommended toothpaste or a special mouthwash could give you the little extra bump you need to take your brushing, cleaning between teeth and rinsing habits from good to great.

Remember, the quality of your oral care products matter, too. The best oral care routine is backed by products you use.

Have a look at our product catalogue or contact SUNSTAR GUM® today to learn more about the products we provide. We want to help you build the best oral care routine and enjoy the great health benefits that come along with it.