What are the general guidelines for maintaining good dental health?

General Guidelines for Maintaining Good Dental Health

Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste (1000-1500 ppm) and floss at least once daily to prevent dental caries and periodontal disease. 1, 2, 3

Daily Oral Hygiene Protocol

Brushing Technique

• Use a small, ultra-soft-headed, rounded-end bristle toothbrush and replace it when bristles no longer stand straight 1
• Brush within 30 minutes after eating and before bed, ensuring coverage of the gingival portion of the tooth and periodontal sulcus 1
• Use prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste (1000-1500 ppm) - spit out the foam but do not rinse your mouth immediately after brushing to maximize fluoride contact 1, 3
• Rinse the toothbrush in hot water to soften bristles before use, and allow it to air dry after use 1
• Brush the tongue gently from back to front 1

Important caveat: The timing debate regarding brushing before versus after meals has been largely resolved - brushing immediately after meals, even acidic ones, does not increase erosive tooth wear risk when using fluoridated products and can be recommended 4

Flossing

• Floss at least once daily using waxed floss to minimize gingival trauma 1, 5
• Flossing as an adjuvant to toothbrushing significantly reduces gingival inflammation (from 37.7% to 15.1% sites with inflammation) compared to brushing alone 5
• If flossing causes bleeding that persists beyond 2 minutes, consult your dentist 1

Mouth Rinsing

• Rinse vigorously several times daily with a bland rinse (1 teaspoon salt + 1 teaspoon baking soda in 4 cups water) 1
• This combination raises oral pH and prevents overgrowth of acidogenic bacteria 1
• Avoid commercial mouthwashes with alcohol or astringent properties as they can dry the mouth 1
• For high caries risk patients, consider adding 0.05% sodium fluoride mouthrinse twice daily in addition to fluoride toothpaste for enhanced remineralization 6

Denture Care (If Applicable)

• Remove dentures, plates, and prostheses before brushing 1
• Brush and rinse dentures after meals and at bedtime 1
• Remove dentures from the mouth for at least 8 hours per 24-hour period and soak in rinsing solution 1

Oral Moisturization

• Moisturize the mouth with water, artificial saliva products, or water-soluble lubricants as needed 1
• Avoid glycerin or lemon-glycerin swabs as they dry the mouth rather than moisturize it 1
• For lip care, use only animal or plant-based oils (beeswax, cocoa butter, lanolin) - avoid petroleum-based products as these cause drying and cracking 1

Professional Dental Care

• Schedule dental follow-ups at minimum every 6 months 1
• Report any signs or symptoms to your dentist promptly 1

Infection Control for Dental Healthcare Workers

• Wash hands before and after treating each patient (before glove placement and after glove removal) 1
• Wear new gloves for each patient and change them if torn, cut, or punctured during procedures 1
• Use chin-length plastic face shields or surgical masks with protective eyewear when splashing or spattering is likely 1
• Change masks between patients or when they become wet or moist 1
• Clean and heat-sterilize handpieces and other intraoral instruments between patients 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not rinse your mouth with water immediately after brushing - this washes away the protective fluoride 1
• Avoid club soda for mouth rinsing due to carbonic acid content 1
• Do not use the same toothbrush for more than 3 months or when bristles become splayed 1
• Do not close lips tightly around saliva ejector tips during dental procedures 1