Oral hygiene is essential for preventing tooth decay. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily help to remove plaque and bacteria that over time can cause decay to develop. In addition to these daily habits, it is also important to schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings.

Tooth decay, also known as cavities, is caused by the build-up of plaque on teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and produces acid that can erode tooth enamel if not regularly removed. Brushing and flossing regularly can help remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.

Schedule a dental appointment today to check the status of your teeth.

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes at a time. Use a very soft-bristled toothbrush and replace it every three to four months. We suggest to change your toothbrush with each new season. It is an easy way of remembering when you last changed it.

2. Floss daily to remove plaque and debris from between your teeth and along the gumline.

3. Use an antiseptic mouthwash to help kill bacteria and freshen your breath.

4. Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks, which can contribute to tooth decay and erosion.

5. Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products, as they increase your risk of oral cancer and other health problems.

6. Visit your dentist and dental hygienist regularly for dental check-ups / dental examinations and cleanings. It’s important to have a professional cleaning to remove tartar and plaque that can’t be removed by regular brushing and flossing.

7. Wear a mouthguard if you play sports or grind your teeth at night.

8. Consider using dental products such as water picks or interproximal brushes to help reach and clean hard-to-reach areas.

It’s important to remember that maintaining good oral hygiene is a lifelong commitment that requires daily care and regular dental check-ups.

To brush your teeth properly, follow these steps:

1. Wet your toothbrush and add toothpaste.

2. Hold your toothbrush against your teeth at a 45-degree angle.

3. Use gentle circular motions to brush the fronts, backs, and tops of your teeth.

4. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.

5. Spit out the toothpaste and rinse your mouth and toothbrush with water.

6. Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day.

For good dental health it’s also important to floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.

For most people a visit to your dentist or dental hygienist every 6 months for cleaning is a must. Book your dental appointment today.

A common question we hear at Stockholm Dental is, “Do I really need to floss, or is brushing enough?” Unlike many things in life, flossing isn’t a mere suggestion; it’s actually an integral part of good oral hygiene, therefore, an indispensable part of your daily routine.

The purpose of flossing is to remove plaque and food particles from tight spaces between your teeth and hard to reach places. Flossing helps to keep your gums protected from bacteria which can cause periodontal disease. Flossing also keeps your teeth free of decay and your smile white.

The purpose of daily flossing is not only to promote healthy teeth, it further contributes to your health in other ways. There is increasing evidence linking periodontal disease to an increased risk of heart disease and an increase of inflammatory substances in the blood. (See blog post Jan 11, 2022)

Teeth brushing alone may not protect you from gum disease and subsequent tooth loss in extreme cases; however, adding flossing to your daily routine helps improve the health of your gums which in turn prevents gums from bleeding and feeding bacteria which causes tooth decay.

The American Dental Association has recommended flossing since 1908 and that recommendation hasn’t changed. Make the most of your oral care routine.

Don’t skip the flossing.

To floss your teeth efficiently:

1. Take about 1 meter of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and index finger on the other hand.

2. Gently guide the floss between your teeth using a rubbing motion. Be careful not to snap the floss into your gums, as this can cause irritation.

3. Once the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a “C” shape against one tooth and gently slide it up and down the side of the tooth, scraping off plaque as you go.

4. Repeat this process on the other side of the same tooth, as well as on all the other teeth in your mouth.

5. Use a fresh section of floss for each tooth to avoid spreading bacteria.

6. Rinse your mouth with water to remove any debris.

For good oral health it is important to floss at least once a day, preferably after brushing your teeth. Regular flossing can help remove plaque and food particles that your toothbrush can’t reach, and can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

During your dental hygienist / dental cleaning appointment ask your dentist or dental hygienist for a demonstration to be certain you are flossing correctly.