Good oral hygiene is a must if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy and perfect looking. That?s why regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing are so strongly recommended by dentists. But just brushing your teeth every morning and night isn?t enough to give your teeth the care and attention they need. You have to know the right brushing techniques and the use the best tools to ensure you?re following an effective oral hygiene regimen.
Oral health is not only about keeping your teeth protected from cavities and your gums healthy. Sure, it keeps you away from tooth decay, pain, and gum infections. However, it goes beyond that. Research has shown that oral hygiene is linked to your overall health especially your heart and your gut.
So, follow these practices and tips to take your oral care routine to the next level and maintain good oral health.
1.??? Brush Your Teeth Properly
Many people brush their teeth but don?t brush it enough for the teeth to stay clean, while others brush too aggressively. Dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day?in the morning and at night?but you can do it more times if the need arises. For instead, if you want to keep your teeth looking and functioning at their absolute best for years to come, you should probably brush after you eat sugary foods.
Hold your toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees, pointed towards the gum line and use short, gentle, and circular motions to clean the teeth. Never use sawing, back-and-forth strokes as they are very ineffective. Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes but don?t be too aggressive as that will damage your natural enamel and erode your gum line. Clean the back, front, and top of every tooth during those two minutes.
Remember, your teeth are not the only part of your mouth. The tongue, roof of the mouth, and gums all need brushing too. Brush them gently to get rid of harmful bacteria.
2.??? Use the Right Toothbrush
Always look for a soft-bristled brush with a smaller head that can reach into the cervices of your molars. That?s where most of the food debris and bacteria hide after you?ve eaten. Electric toothbrushes are even more effective in giving the teeth a deeper cleanse and prevent plaque formation.
You also have to replace your brush every 3 months. In case you?re using an electronic one, you should change its brush-head after 3 months.
3.??? Floss Regularly
Flossing is also an integral part of oral care just like brushing your teeth regularly. Your toothbrush can?t reach the spaces between the teeth. And that?s where flossing comes in. It helps to eliminate any food residue and particulate matter stuck between teeth. Therefore, flossing at least once a day is necessary.
Wrap a piece of floss up to 18 inches long around your fingers, keeping around two inches of floss between your fingers so you can work with it. For each tooth, take out a fresh section of the floss. To help break down the plaque, keep the piece of the floss tight against the tooth, while leaving your gums in good shape.
4.??? Limit Your Soda Intake
Sugar-loaded fizzy drinks are the leading source of added sugars in our every day diet. The sugar content of these drinks and other processed juices and beverages results in increased cavities. Moreover, the phosphoric acid and citric acid present in fizzy drinks erode the surface of your teeth. Even as little as a single can of soda can make your tooth enamel softer and more prone to cavities.
Therefore, you need to limit your soda intake to only once or twice a day at meal times and in small volumes. Instead, drink more water and flavor it with sliced fruits, berries, or mint.
5.??? Avoid Having Sugary and Starchy Food
Sugar is the biggest culprit in tooth decay. It promotes the formation of acid and bacterial growth inside your mouth causing plaque buildup that starts damaging your teeth and gums. Every time you have something sweet or starchy, there is up to 20 minutes of acid production in your mouth.
Common troublemakers include desserts, candy, crackers chips, pasta, bread, etc. Starch containing foods linger in your mouth even longer and break down into simple sugars, again fostering bacterial growth.
Make sure your diet is teeth friendly by cutting down on sugary treats and including items like fiber rich fruits and veggies and also nuts.
6.??? Quit Smoking
Among the many other health hazards of smoking, it harms the body?s immune system. This makes it difficult for the body to perform tissue healing, including inside your mouth. That?s why smoking is one of the risk factors for gum disease and smokers who go through a dental procedure show slow healing. Smoking also gives yellow stains to your teeth and tongue along with bad breath.
7.??? Visit Your Dentist Regularly
In addition to doing all that?s stated above, it?s also very important that you visit your dentist regularly and get full oral checkups done at least twice a year. Your dentist might be able to identify any hidden problems before they can turn damaging because you didn?t pay attention to them. Early diagnosis in case of gum disease or cancer can make the treatment possible and perhaps less complex.
Your oral health is more important than you might think. The health of your mouth, gums, and teeth has profound effects on your general health and wellbeing. Therefore, you must adhere to these oral hygiene tips to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy and protected.
If you want to get in touch with the best dental experts, visit East Village Dental! Your one-stop solution to all dental care needs and problems.