Summary The Perfect Oral Health Care Routine (3 easy steps) (Youtube) www.youtube.com
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Whitney What is the correct order for brushing, flossing, water flossing, tongue scraping, mouth washing, your dental home care routine? What order is the most optimal for your oral health? Let's talk. Hi. My name is Whitney, and I'm a dental hygienist here to talk about the perfect dental hygiene routine for your mouth.
Whitney And before we get started? Make sure to get my free oral care guide. Click the link in the description below or in the pinned comments to join 1,000 who have already discovered all of the essential components for an effective oral hygiene routine? This guide is an action plan for preventing and maintaining a happier and healthier smile. I made it just for you for it can also help you stay on Routine Teen never miss a brushing session.
Whitney And having said that, for today's video, let's talk about your perfect oral hygiene routine, which really only requires 3 steps), Brushing, flossing, and or cleaning between your teeth, we'll explain more about that in just a bit, and tongue scraping. And as we go through, I'll go over some Extra steps that might help some people depending on the status of their mouthwash, such as if you are cavity prone or gingivitis prone. I will mention the extra steps you can take if You have a dental issue that your dentist and or dental hygienist has told you to focus on? We'll cover all that stuff as we go through. And if you just want To add more steps just because you like to do everything you can for your dental health, go for it.
Whitney But just keep in mind that the 3 necessary steps for everyone are brushing, Cleaning between your teeth and tongue scraping. So let's go in order with everything in the case that you need or want more. Starting with step 1, mouthwash. I have so many mouthwash videos because mouthwash is annoying. Let me phrase that better.
Whitney The thing about mouthwash is it gets a bad reputation, and it's exhausting for a lot of us dental professionals? Because in most cases, mouthwash is not needed. Most people do not need to use a mouthwash, especially if you have a healthy mouth. No issues. Then why are you using it?
Whitney Maybe you just like how it makes your breath feel. You like the taste of it. If so, sure. That's fine. If mouthwash is truly something you enjoy, my recommendation is to just Make sure you are using it before you brush if it's an antiseptic mouthwash.
Whitney So I will link my video that explains the differences between antiseptic and anti cavity and what to look for in antiseptics to make sure they are not acidic and non staining? Because, yes, some mouthwashes actually increase your risk of tooth staining. But regardless, this is not a needed steps), so don't feel like you need to to add mouthwash? Just because. But if you really like it and it's an antiseptic mouthwash, make sure it's step 1 of your routine.
Whitney We will talk more about anti cavity mouthwashes later since those Those will actually be the final step of our routine. Now moving on to step 2 or step 1 for most of us not using a mouthwash. Step 2 is brush our teeth? Wait. What?
Whitney She wants us to brush before we floss. Yet another subject I go into depth about in another video, which I will link below if you're then? But here's the recap. It does not matter which order you brush or floss just as long as you're doing both. People who feel strongly about this, It's it's just their opinion.
Whitney Really, us dental professionals don't care if you floss then brush or brush then floss. Just the fact that you are flossing is what's important. Now for me, personally, I am more cavity prone, so I prefer to brush first, and then I spit, and then I don't rinse, and then I floss. And the idea is that the floss is Coming into contact with the toothpaste that is still on my teeth, so it's helping in cavity prevention. Honestly, though, there's not too much research on whether this is better, but there's a few things I've read stating that it is for cavity prevention at least.
Whitney So, yeah, I prefer to use traditional string floss After brushing. But, again, you can do whichever order you prefer with brushing and flossing. Just be sure you're doing both of them and using proper technique. Now without getting ahead of ourselves, I feel like I was Getting a little into talking about flossing. But first, let's talk about this brushing step a little more.
Whitney I prefer to use an electric toothbrush. It just does the work for you? Less chance of user error. If you like your regular manual toothbrush, that's fine too, but just make sure you're using it correctly. Plea?
Whitney There are some nuances that make using a manual toothbrush a little more difficult to use properly. But regardless, make sure you're brushing 2 times each day for 2 minutes each time. Once in the morning before breakfast. You know I have another video explaining all about why before breakfast, steps), which I will also link below, and also once at night right before bedtime? I prefer to use a fluoride toothpaste since fluoride is the recommended ingredient by the American Association in cavity prevention, fluoride toothpaste that have the ADA seal of acceptance have been tested for safety and efficacy regarding their effectiveness in protecting against Tooth decay and strengthening tooth enamel, so I'm all about it.
Whitney However, having said that, some people, especially in my comment section, are against fluoride? If so, that's fine. You do you. But I will mention that all of the negative stuff online revolving around fluoride is based on if you were to Eat it. So just like you're not supposed to eat your lipstick or ChapStick, you're not supposed to eat the tube of toothpaste.
Whitney Right? Because if you do, it'll make your tummy hurt. Just keep that in mind when you see things like, Fluoride is toxic. It's only toxic if you're eating it, and you're not supposed to be ingesting it. You're supposed to be using it as directed as a topical toothpaste.
Whitney But if you are still feeling uncomfortable with fluoride, I will highly advise you to at least use a toothpaste with the ingredient nano hydroxy Capetate. Lots of non fluoride toothpastes only have xylitol in them, and the ingredient xylitol alone is not strong enough to protect against cavities? So if you're not using fluoride, make sure you're at least using nano hydroxyapatite, and it's a bonus if it also has Xylitol. Next up, step 3, floss. Again, you can do this before brushing if you want, but for the purpose of this video, let's just keep going.
Whitney I prefer traditional string floss because I'm able to use it correctly. And if you use traditional string floss correctly, then it is so, so, so, so worth using it every single night before you go to bed. You technically only need to floss once each Day, whereas brushing, you're supposed to do it twice. Now if you struggle with the string for whatever reason, no worries. Try a floss pick.
Whitney The handle makes it so much easier for some people who have a Time wrapping the regular floss around their fingers. I will link my how to properly use a floss pick video in the description as well if you'd like to learn more. So if you use String floss or floss picks, then you're done with step 3. You could move on to step 4. But if you're still looking for another option to clean between your teeth, you don't like the String floss or the Flossing.
Whitney Another alternative is an interdental brush. These are also great at cleaning between the teeth. I find that so many people are unaware that these exist. They just aren't talked about as much, but they should be talked about because they are awesome. Some dental professionals even say they can effectively replace flossing, meaning you don't have to use The string at all if they fit between and clean between all of your teeth.
Whitney So that's where the 1 downside comes in. Lots of us have teeth that don't all have the same in size spaces between them? So oftentimes, when using interdental brushes, you might need to buy different sizes to accommodate all the spots between all of your teeth. Teeth? I will link my Dental brushing video below as well if you want to learn more about that.
Whitney Now water flossing. This is sometimes a tricky Key 1, if you are someone who uses a water flosser, that's great. I love a water flosser. However, I personally feel that you should also use 1 of the other Removal methods? The string, the picks, the interdental brushes in addition to using water flosser.
Whitney But, hey, if water flossing is your favorite thing ever and you're not about to add 1 of those other things as well? No worries. Keep doing what you're doing, especially if you are someone with gingivitis or gum disease or bleeding gums, any type of gum issues. A water flossing is definitely recommended. If You are more prone, however, I would highly recommend you use both a water flosser and 1 of those other 3 ways as well.
Whitney Now the question is, what order do you use a water flosser? Before or after the other stuff? Again, as long as you're using it, I don't care about the order of this 1 either. The only important thing is that you use your antiseptic A septic mouthwash first and your anti cavity mouthwash last. And we didn't even make it that far yet, so back to the water flosser.
Whitney I like to personally use it after I string floss because I like Seeing if there's anything I miss. If you miss a spot flossing, the water flosser will for sure spray it out. It takes care of it. And I think it's very satisfying to see that happen. However, some people might Are you with me here saying how you never want to wash away the toothpaste from your teeth after brushing?
Whitney Again, that's only if you're prone to getting cavities or Or your teeth are very sensitive, tooth sensitivity. In those cases, lots of people would prefer to water floss first then brush afterwards. Again, either way works. It's really not a huge deal, and we'll go more into this in a bit about leaving the toothpaste on your teeth versus not leaving the toothpaste on your teeth. And if you are still concerned about what is best for your individual mouth?
Whitney Always ask your dentist and or your dental hygienist for they know your mouth best and can give you personalized recommendations about what would benefit You. Okay. So we brushed. We flossed and or cleaned between our teeth. Next up number 4, we scrape our tongue.
Whitney Did you know that 90% of bad Breath bacteria sit on your tongue. So not only is it important to brush your teeth every day, but it is also important to brush your tongue. And the best way to do that is by using a tongue Scraper. Brushing it with a toothbrush is fine, but a tongue scraper is even better because there are so many little crevices on your teeth that bacteria can get caught in. And if you don't have a tongue scraper, No worries.
Whitney You can actually use a spoon from your kitchen. It actually really works pretty well. But if you want an actual ton scraper, I will link some product suggestions in the description box. Yeah. I would probably say this is my all time favorite step in my dental hygiene routine.
Whitney Once you remove all of that gunk, oh, it's So fresh and so clean. Your tongue, you'll see. You'll love it too. Also, if you tend to get tonsil stones, make extra sure that you're using a tongue scraper for can really help prevent those from forming by reducing the bacteria count in your mouth. And for many people, that's the final step.
Whitney You're done after tongue scraping. But for others, it might be worth Adding in step number 5, using an anti cavity mouthwash if you're cavity or sensitivity prone. So circling back to the not rinsing after brushing? This is the topic that is often argued about on social media the most. Lots of people say how you should technically keep the residual toothpaste sitting there on your teeth after brushing so it can do its job.
Whitney And if that's you, you're someone who doesn't wanna rinse away the toothpaste, that's totally fine. Do that and skip this step. Step? However, many of us do not like the texture of toothpaste on our teeth. I myself have a sensory issue, and sometimes that feeling of the paste on my teeth for a prolonged amount of time makes me wanna freak back out.
Whitney So if you are prone to getting cavities or you have tooth sensitivity and you do not like the idea of leaving the based on your teeth? No worries. I'm all about doing the more, let's say, elegant approach of simply swishing with an anti cavity mouthwash. Step number 5. I just think it's so much more pleasant.
Whitney Although mouthwash has a slightly lower concentration of fluoride than toothpaste, it still has flossing, So it's still doing something as opposed to you just rinsing your toothpaste off with water and not following up with the fluoride mouthwash. This step is, again, only if you are Cavity prone or if you have tooth sensitivity as well. Anti cavity mouth rinses can really help with sensitivity. Companies also make anti sensitivity Specific mouthwashes as well if you want even better results for any sensitivity concerns. I will link everything below.
Whitney And remember, this final step should never be an antiseptic mouthwash. They tend to be more acidic and just not as great for your teeth. So make sure your antiseptic mouthwash, if you use it, you do not have to use it unless your dental provider Don't you otherwise. But if you do use it, make sure it's the 1st step, and this anti cavity mouthwash is your last step. But in all, in conclusion, the 3 basic Steps for a perfect oral care routine at home are brushing, flossing, and tongue scraping.
Whitney If you want to replace the floss with the floss pigs or interdental brushes or water flossers? All good. I group them all together with the floss. And within that group, you can do whichever order makes you feel best. And if you like your antiseptic mouthwash, make sure to do it first Before brushing.
Whitney And if you use an anti cavity mouthwash, make sure to do it last after everything. And if you want even more help creating the perfect team to prevent major dental issues such as cavities, gum disease, and costly dental visits such as deep cleanings and crowns and fillings to avoid all of that? Make sure to click the link in the description or in the pinned comment below to sign up for my free oral care guide and join 1,000 who have already discovered all of the essentials for an effective oral hygiene routine? This guide is an action plan for preventing and maintaining a happier and healthier smile. And I hope this video helped you.
Whitney Please like, and turn on your notifications if it did. And if you want even more teeth talk, you can visit my website teeth.com and hang out with me on Instagram at teeth talk girl. Peace, love, and