---
title: "What Is Oral hygiene? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Oral hygiene is the daily care that keeps your mouth clean: brushing, cleaning between teeth, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/oral-hygiene
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Prevention and Hygiene

# Oral hygiene

Oral hygiene is the daily care that keeps your mouth clean: brushing, cleaning between teeth, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits.

Oral hygiene means the habits that keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. The ADA lists the basics: brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste, clean between teeth daily, eat a balanced diet that limits sugary drinks and snacks, and see your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease.

Good habits remove [biofilm](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/biofilm) and plaque before they harden into tartar. The ADA notes that dental care also includes the formulation and execution of a treatment plan when disease is present. Some people need extra steps, such as a rinse or a special tool.

Your dentist or hygienist can show you what fits your mouth. See [brushing technique](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/brushing-technique), [flossing](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/flossing), and recall visits. A [teeth cleaning](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-cleaning) visit is a good time to ask questions.

[Town Center Dental can helpTeeth Cleaning](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-cleaning)

## Related terms

-   [Brushing technique](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/brushing-technique)
-   [Flossing](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/flossing)
-   [Biofilm](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/biofilm)
-   [Recall visit (checkup)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/recall-visit-checkup)
-   [Fluoride toothpaste](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/fluoride-toothpaste)

## Sources

1.  [ADA MouthHealthy: Brushing Your Teeth](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/brushing-your-teeth)
2.  [ADA MouthHealthy: Brushing Your Teeth](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/brushing-your-teeth)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)