Oral health is more important than you might realize for your health and well-being. Good oral hygiene can prevent a ton of dental problems, from cavities and gum disease to more severe conditions such as oral cancer. Therefore, it is essential to take care of your oral health by following good oral hygiene practices. In our guide below we will discuss some of the best oral health advice that you can follow.
Keep reading to learn our top tips to have your oral health in tip-top shape.
1. Floss, Floss, Floss
Flossing is a must when it comes to oral hygiene, but many people tend to skip flossing as it’s finicky or uncomfortable. Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and from under your gum line. You want to floss at least once a day but the more you floss, the better it is for your oral health.
Use about 18 inches of floss, and wrap it around your fingers, leaving about an inch of floss between them. There are also floss picks available, but dentist clinics recommend traditional floss over floss picks. Slide the floss between your teeth and under your gum line, using a gentle back-and-forth motion.
There are also interdental brushes you can use. They come in different sizes and the really tiny ones will slide in between your teeth and clean really well because of the tiny brush bristles. This is good to use in conjunction with regular floss.
Teach your children to floss when their adult teeth start coming in or earlier if their teeth seem to be close together. Baby teeth are often well-spaced so children have less problems with food getting stuck between their teeth, but as they get older and their teeth get closer together, they need to clean their teeth better. If your child can’t floss, you may need to floss for them or try using kid-friendly flossers.
2. Brush Twice a Day
Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most crucial oral health practices. Brushing helps to remove plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth.
Plaque can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if it’s not removed regularly. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes, using toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. It is best to brush your teeth in a circular motion and not brush your gums too hard.
3. Eat Less Sugary and Acidic Foods
Sugary and acidic foods and drinks can do more damage to your teeth than you might realize. When you consume sugary or acidic foods, the bacteria in your mouth produces acid, which can erode your tooth enamel and lead to cavities. If you do consume sugary or acidic foods and drinks, try to limit them and rinse your mouth with water afterward.
Choose a healthy and balanced diet instead of sugary and acidic foods. Eat more veggies, fruits, and dairy products. Make sure you don’t overdo it with dairy because too much can be harmful to your teeth. Also, keep in mind that fruits have natural sugar, so try to eat less sugary fruits.
4. No More Smoking
If you are a regular smoker, it’s time to consider quitting. Smoking can lead to different oral health problems, like bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. If you really want to maintain good oral health start cutting back on your smoking and wean yourself off until you can 100% quit this bad habit. This professional dentist in Melbourne suggests using vape to help you slowly cut back on your smoking. However, it should only be used as a transitioning device rather than an alternative to smoking.
5. Mouthwash Is Your Friend
Using mouthwash can help kill bacteria that causes bad breath and gum disease. Mouthwash also helps rinse away food particles and debris that might be left in your mouth after brushing and flossing. Look for a mouthwash that contains fluoride, because this can help strengthen your teeth and it can also help prevent tooth decay.
After you brush and floss your teeth, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
6. Visit Your Dentist
In order to have good oral health you need to stay on top of your regular dental checkups and cleanings. During a dental checkup, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums for any signs of decay or gum disease. It is recommended to visit the dentist at least once every six months to get your teeth checked and cleaned.
Also, going to see your dentist regularly for your cleanings will help prevent cavities because the hygienist can reach those hard-to-reach places you might not be able to floss.
7. Drink More Water
Drinking plenty of water will help your teeth and your mouth. Every time you drink water you help flush out bacteria and food particles from your mouth. Water also helps your mouth stay moist and keeps it from becoming too dry. Dry mouth can actually lead to tooth decay and bad breath.
8. Better Oral Health Habits
Not only do you want to floss daily and brush your teeth twice per day, you also want to add other oral hygiene habits to your routine. For example, you don’t want to use your teeth to open packages and bottles because this can lead to chipping a tooth or loosening a tooth.
You can also start using a tongue scraper to help remove extra bacteria from your tongue. Try to not chew on hard objects like ice cubes. If you ever notice signs of oral problems, do not ignore them.
Any time you notice that your teeth are extra sensitive, your gums are bleeding, you have tooth pain, or bad breath you need to make sure you see your dentist ASAP. This can be a sign of something more serious going on inside your mouth.
Also, if you play sports make sure you wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth from getting injured. If you notice that you grind your teeth at night then you want to talk to your dentist about wearing a mouth guard to help protect your teeth while you’re sleeping.
Ready to Level Up Your Oral Health?
If you weren’t aware maintaining good oral health is necessary to live a healthy life. Now you can follow our tips above and not only maintain good oral hygiene but also prevent any oral health problems. You can really have a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come if you follow our simple tips above.
If our article came in handy, make sure you keep browsing this section for our latest tips and tricks.
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