What exactly is a good oral hygiene routine?

We regularly mention the need for a food oral hygiene regime in our blogs, but what exactly is involved if we want to keep our dentist happy when we turn up for our regular checkup?

Here’s a simple guide to the more important things you should build into your regular dental habits:

• Brush twice a day. There’s no getting around this one – you simply have to brush twice if you're to avoid an excessive build-up of bacteria. And remember that twice is a minimum – so if you get a chance to brush after every meal, then definitely do so. It’s a good idea to keep a spare toothbrush at work for this purpose.

• Use fluoride toothpaste. There are hundreds of toothpastes on the market, and your personal choice is up to you. One thing in non-negotiable, however. It MUST contain fluoride.

• Replace your toothbrush regularly. Every two to three months is about right. And if you’ve been ill, get rid of the toothbrush as it may well be a repository for those nasty germs you picked up while sick.

• Don’t forget your tongue. Your tongue is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, so don’t neglect it when it comes time to brush.

• Use floss or interdental brushes. At least once a day, you need to either floss or use interdental brushes to remove food particles that have got lodged between your teeth.

• Don’t neglect dentures. Dentures should be removed at night and given a thorough cleaning before being put back in your mouth the next morning.

• Your dentist is your friend. Make sure you see your dentist at least twice a year. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.

• Quit smoking. We know it's not easy to kick the habit, but it will make s huge difference to your oral health if you can defeat the demon weed.

• Drink plenty of water. This will help to keep your mouth moist, which has the effect of washing away those nasty bacteria. Chewing gum (which should be preferably sugarless) can also stimulate production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Gums and mints which containing xylitol are the preferred choice.

This may seem like quite a lot of rules to obey, but once you turn these actions into habits, they become an automatic part of your day – just like getting dressed in the morning.

And if you add up the time involved, if accounts for no more than a few minutes out of every day, which is surely an acceptable price to pay for a lovely smile and fresh breath confidence?

The biggest evil when it comes to your teeth is neglect. First of all, you neglect the brushing, then it becomes a habit and soon you have a root canal cost to shell out – simply because you became too lax in your oral care regime.

And it goes without saying that root canal treatment cost comes to way more than the cost of toothbrush and paste, floss or interdental brushes.

So with the end of the year in sight, why not let your new year’s resolution be a healthier, happier mouth?

There’s no shortage of great information out there on the Internet (including right here at MyDental), and articles like the following at the site of the famous Mayo Clinic are a good strart - http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20045536