Apr 22, 2024 - minute readminutes read

How to Get the Most Out of Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Good health begins with good oral care.

Like all other areas in your body, there are bacteria in your mouth - some good, some bad. Proper oral hygiene can help you keep good bacteria and get rid of the bad ones that cause plaque build-up and damage your gums and teeth. Oral health into ripe old age is important for a healthy body. Did you know that healthy gums prevent bacteria from entering the blood stream, travelling inside your body, causing inflammation and affecting your overall health? You can help keep your oral and general health optimal with daily brushing, interdental cleaning and rinsing.

Want to get the most out of your oral care routine? Watch our video and find out how! Remember that, while a complete oral care routine will benefit everyone, we all have different needs that call for the help of a professional. This is why you should visit your dental professional twice a year for a professional cleaning and personalized care.

What are the signs of poor oral hygiene?

Recognizing the signs of poor oral hygiene is essential for maintaining a healthy mouth and preventing more severe dental issues. Common indicators include:

Plaque and tartar buildup: Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria. If not removed, it can harden into tartar, which is more difficult to clean and can cause gum disease.
Bad breath (halitosis): Persistent bad breath, not related to food, can be a sign of accumulated bacteria and decaying food particles in your mouth.
Tooth pain or sensitivity: Discomfort or sharp pain when consuming hot, cold, or sweet foods may signal cavities or enamel erosion.
Discolored teeth: Yellowing or stained teeth can result from poor oral hygiene, certain foods, or tobacco use.
Bleeding or sore gums: This can indicate gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease.
Receding gums: When gums pull away from the teeth, it can be a sign of advancing gum disease.
Mouth sores or infections: Persistent sores, spots, or lesions in the mouth can be signs of oral health issues.

Are you getting the most out of your oral care routine? Watch our video to learn more.

4 Steps to Establish a Great Oral Hygiene Routine

1.

To get the most out of your oral care routine, just remember that “it takes 3”. Three gentle steps in just a few minutes.

2.

A complete routine means cleaning all 5 tooth surfaces. With a toothbrush you can easily clean 3.

3.

To clean the remaining two, you need to use an interdental brush, pick or floss, every day!

4.

Finish with a gentle mouth rinse.

Which oral hygiene products should I use?

GUM Technique Deep Clean Toothbrush

GUM® Technique® Deep Clean Toothbrush

GUM Sonic Powered Toothbrush

GUM® Sonic Powered Toothbrush

GUM Soft-Picks Advanced

GUM® Soft-Picks® Advanced

GUM Professional Clean Flosser Picks

GUM® Professional Clean Flosser Picks

GUM® Proxabrush® Go-Betweens®

GUM Expanding Dental Floss, Unflavored

GUM® Expanding® Dental Floss, Unflavored

Know when to visit the dentist

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the following symptoms may indicate a need to visit to the dentist.

Experiencing pain or discomfort in your teeth, jaws, or gums is a clear signal to seek immediate dental attention, as these symptoms could indicate underlying issues such as tooth decay or gum disease. Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks also warrants a professional evaluation, as it often suggests dental problems.

Other key indicators include bleeding gums during brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, or a dry mouth, which can all be signs of gum disease or deeper oral health issues. Noticeable changes in your mouth's appearance, such as sores, patches, or lumps, or any alterations in your bite or the fit of your dentures, should prompt a dental consultation.

Despite the absence of symptoms, regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential for preventing oral health issues and maintaining a healthy mouth. Proactive dental care helps in early detection and treatment of potential problems, ensuring long-term oral health.

A FEW THINGS you may be wondering about:

You can do whatever works best for you. If you use interdental picks in one area and floss in another that’s completely fine. Or if you use only floss, or only interdentals, those are sound alternatives too. Most people find GUM® SOFT-PICKS® easier to use than other tools and this helps them establish good habits. The most important thing is to clean between your teeth daily to remove plaque. How you do it is up to you!

Since plaque is pale yellow, it isn’t always easy to spot. The good news is there’s an easy way to find out which parts of your teeth still need a bit more cleaning. If you want to see where you’ve missed some plaque you can try plaque disclosing tablets. They usually turn any plaque build-up on the teeth into a temporary red or blue, making it very easy to spot. You can then brush or floss those areas until the teeth are completely clean.

One explanation might be that you are brushing too hard. Gentle brushing is key for a good oral care routine. Over-zealous brushing or using a brush with stiff bristles can damage gum tissue and enamel, causing tooth sensitivity, gum bleeding and recession. If you’re wondering which brush is best for you, check out our tips on how to choose your toothbrush. If the bleeding doesn’t subside with more gentle brushing, this could indicate your gums are unusually tender due to inflammation. In this case, you should visit your dental professional for guidance.

You can start cleaning babies’ teeth as soon as they appear. Be sure to use a toothbrush specially designed for babies, with an extra small head that easily fits inside infants’ mouths. Make sure you use an age-appropriate toothpaste with fluoride levels adapted to young teeth.

Like other parts of the body, your mouth is home to lots of bacteria. They settle on the tooth surface where they feed on leftover food, mostly sugars, multiply and produce waste. The combination of bacteria and their waste, food debris and saliva forms a soft, pale yellow and sticky biofilm, known as plaque. This deposit forms on enamel, especially between teeth and around the gum line. You should be aware that poor & irregular brushing and a sugary diet contribute significantly to plaque formation.

A toothbrush will only remove part of your plaque. To clean between your teeth and below the gum line you need to use a smaller interdental brush, pick, floss, or flosser. If left unremoved, soft plaque will eventually harden into tartar which can only be removed by a dental professional.