Ask any dentist and they will tell you: as important as regular cleanings and checkups are, the dental care that takes place day in, day out, is what truly makes the difference between a sparkling smile and routinely finding yourself under the drill. Everyone knows the basics—brush and floss. But if you really want to improve your at-home care, consider these three tips.

Brush Correctly, and With the Correct Brush

There is definitely a correct toothbrush to use, and a correct way to use it. You should always stick with soft-bristled brushes, which are much gentler on the gums and do not pose the threat of premature enamel wear.

There is a detailed way to correctly brush your teeth, but instead of worrying about your brushing technique every morning and night, you should invest in an electric toothbrush. Modern electric toothbrushes come with so many features that, as long as you can hold it, it will do the rest. Even a perfect brushing technique cannot compare to the job an electric toothbrush can do. If you are serious about taking care of your teeth, there is no question this is the way to go.

Become a Flossing Master

There is no sugar coating it: you have to floss every day if you want to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. Unlike toothbrushes, there is really no “right” or “wrong” floss to use; studies show that all variations of floss exhibit similar plaque- removing abilities. The important part is what you do with it.

One technique of the pros is to wrap the majority of the floss around one finger. After you floss between a few teeth, unspool a little bit of floss from the finger with the majority before you move on. This moves the “dirty” segment out of the way and brings in a clean one. By doing so, you aren’t pushing plaque and food debris back up into the spaces between your teeth.

Fluoride is Your Friend

Fluoride is the element that adds strength to teeth. It has the ability to reverse the early signs of decay and also has bacteria-fighting properties. All brand name toothpastes contain fluoride, so you are probably getting adequate exposure to it each day. However, many people have the incorrect habit of brushing their teeth, then rinsing their mouth with water. This washes away all of the beneficial fluoride ions in your mouth—almost as if you’d never brushed at all. Instead, brush your teeth, spit out the excess toothpaste, and head to bed. Fluoride—whether in toothpaste or in a mouthwash—should always be the last thing to touch your teeth at the end of the day.

By incorporating these techniques into your daily routine, you can take your at-home dental care to the next level—saving yourself more than a few trips to the dentist’s chair.

Three Ways to Step Up Your At-Home Dental Care

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