Good dental hygiene starts as a young child but remains just as important throughout your adult life. While brushing and flossing twice a day is extremely important, so is getting your 6-month professional cleaning.

Brushing your teeth and cleaning between teeth (flossing) is most effective in removing plaque and preventing tooth decay. An antimicrobial toothpaste also helps prevent tooth decay.

Your toothbrush should have soft bristles and fit the shape and size of your mouth to be able to reach your back teeth easily for better cleaning. Replace your toothbrush every 6 months. If you are getting your teeth cleaned every 6 months, your dentist office will provide you with your replacement toothbrush.

Flossing is also very important as it gets in between the teeth where a brush can’t reach. Food gets trapped between your teeth and allows for uninhibited bacterial growth, causing cavities to form. Flossing is also essential for preventing gum disease.

A lot of people skip flossing, some because they say it takes too much time and some because they think it is too difficult to get done. It doesn’t have to be a chore. There are floss picks now that make it easier, because they have a handle for better manipulation. There are also water flossers that aim water between your teeth to remove debris.