A beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime starts with the right home care routine. While regular dental visits play a key role in keeping your teeth in top shape, your daily habits are just as important in preventing cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Dr. Anthony Parrella and his team in Somerville, MA, want to ensure you have the best tools and knowledge for maintaining excellent oral hygiene at home. Follow these expert-recommended tips to keep your smile bright and strong.
Daily Home Care Essentials
1. Brushing – Twice a Day for a Healthier Smile
Proper brushing removes plaque and bacteria, preventing tooth decay and gum disease. To get the most out of your brushing routine:
Use an ADA-approved soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use gentle circular motions—no harsh scrubbing.
Clean the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Use the tip of your brush to clean the inside of your front teeth.
Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
Electric toothbrushes are a great option. They do the work for you, covering multiple teeth at once and improving plaque removal.
2. Flossing – Your Secret Weapon Against Gum Disease
Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach. Make it a daily habit.
Use 12-16 inches of floss, wrapping it around your fingers with 2 inches between your hands.
Gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion—no snapping.
Curve it into a C-shape around each tooth and move it up and down to clean thoroughly.
Floss holders are a great alternative if traditional flossing is tricky.
3. Oral Irrigation – Power Wash Your Teeth
Using an oral irrigator (also called a water flosser or Waterpik) is an excellent way to clean between teeth and under the gums. It helps disrupt the sticky biofilm that harbors bacteria and delivers an antimicrobial rinse to hard-to-reach areas.
How to Use It:
Fill the reservoir with warm water and add 1/8 teaspoon of bleach (a powerful, cost-effective antimicrobial) or Therasol from Oratec (available at our office).
Start on medium power and gradually increase.
Hold the tip between your teeth for four seconds per area and trace along the gumline.
Lean over the sink and spit as needed.
When done, rinse the reservoir with hot water and wipe it out. Leave the lid slightly open to air dry.
4. The #1 Brushing Mistake: Rinsing After Brushing
Do not rinse after brushing. Rinsing washes away the fluoride and other protective ingredients in your toothpaste. Instead, just spit out the excess and let the toothpaste continue working.
5. Additional Dental Tools for a Complete Routine
Your dentist or hygienist may recommend other tools to enhance your home care routine:
Interdental brushes – Great for cleaning around braces, bridges, and implants.
Rubber tip stimulators – Help massage gums and remove debris.
Tongue cleaners – Reduce bacteria and freshen breath.
Fluoride treatments & medicated rinses – Strengthen enamel and fight decay.
Keep Your Smile in Top Shape
By following these home care tips, you’re giving your teeth and gums the best chance at staying healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Need a checkup or professional cleaning? Dr. Anthony Parrella and his team are here to help.
Call Us: (617) 625-3022
Schedule an Appointment: Book Online Here