Having healthy dental habits is extremely important for your health. Taking proper care of your teeth and protecting them so that they can serve you for a long time is not only an aesthetic issue.
Photo by William Warby on Unsplash
Your oral health affects a slew of other areas of your body and to avoid health complications, you should do your best to adopt great oral care habits.
Here are ten tips that should give you a good basis.
1. Brushing regularly
First and foremost, brushing your teeth regularly is paramount; you should never skip brushing your teeth and just go straight to bed.
It is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day in order to remove plaque and germs that can start causing problems if they are not controlled.
You might get the impression that you absolutely must brush your teeth several times a day to deal with these nuisances timely.
However, brushing your teeth too often not recommended as it can wreak havoc on your tooth enamel. Stick to twice a day, and it should be enough.
And if you ever have urgent dental needs, be sure to fix painful oral issues with this dentist in Charlotte.
2. Using the right tools and methods
When brushing your teeth, it is also essential that you know what you are doing. Using improper methods can do more harm than good. First of all, make sure you are being gentle when brushing your teeth.
Use circular motions to remove the plaque effectively. Make sure the bristles of your toothbrush aren’t too hard as it can cause tooth enamel and gum erosion, especially if you are too aggressive with it.
In addition, make sure you change your toothbrush regularly to avoid the accumulation of germs – throw away your old one after three months or when you notice it is getting worn out, whichever comes first.
3. Cleaning your tongue
When you’re doing your daily oral care routine, don’t forget about cleaning your tongue either.
Your tongue can be a breeding ground for bacteria if you don’t deal with buildup effectively, and it can also be a major source of bad breath.
So, your best bet is to introduce a tongue cleaner into your arsenal and use it regularly.
4. Flossing regularly
One thing that you certainly often hear is how important flossing regularly is. If you still haven’t started doing it, it is high time.
Flossing is as important as brushing, if not more. When you’re brushing your teeth, you cannot get to the food residue and bacteria between your teeth and under your gum line.
This is where flossing comes into play. However, make sure you do it properly – you should be slow and gentle, and make sure you devote some attention to all teeth.
5. Looking for fluoride
When you are shopping for your oral care products, make sure you read the label and go for products that contain fluoride.
Fluoride basically helps rebuild the tooth enamel and also protects it from cavities, it fights off bacteria and it helps with tooth decay issues.
So, it is more than evident that it should be an essential ingredient in your toothpaste and mouthwash to achieve the best results when taking care of your pearly whites.
6. Visiting the dentist
Most people hate doing it, but there is no way around this. You should pay regular visits to your dentist’s office even if you don’t notice any particular problems because your dentist might.
Prevention is key when it comes to most health issues, and your teeth are no different. And by having regular checkups with your dentist, you can react timely to any sign of decay or other issues.
It is recommended to do this checkup at least twice a year.
7. Turning to prosthodontics
In case you have already had dental problems in the past, it is possible that you feel like your quality of life is compromised.
A missing tooth or several missing teeth can not only be an aesthetic issue that might make you feel self-conscious, but it can also cause great inconveniences in your everyday life, making it difficult to eat certain foods.
In order to improve this situation, don’t be afraid of turning to prosthodontics. Nowadays, places like Pindan Dental Laboratory offer various types of quality and reliable dentures, so everyone can find what they need.
8. Skipping sugary and acidic foods
Good dental health is not only about regular cleaning and visiting the dentist.
It’s also about your everyday decisions that can greatly influence what shape your teeth are going to be in years’ time. You might already know that sugar is not exactly great for your teeth.
Sugary foods and sodas, as well as processed foods, are all major culprits. Besides them, starchy foods that stick to your teeth are another offender.
As these foods linger around in your mouth, they provide a perfect breeding ground for acid-producing bacteria, which, ultimately, cause the tooth enamel to decay.
So, cut back on sugary and starchy foods as much as you can. In addition, when you’re having something overly acidic, make sure you also have something that is less acidic to compensate for it.
9. Eating lots of vegetables
As opposed to the previously mentioned food groups, one thing that you should have more of is crunchy vegetables.
These not only act as natural cleaners, removing starchy residue from your teeth as you chew them, but they also make your jaw work harder, giving it a good workout that actually strengthens it.
Besides vegetables, some fruits such as apples are also good for your teeth.
10. Giving up harmful habits
Finally, if you are guilty of having the harmful habit of smoking, you should consider giving it up for the sake of your oral and general health.
Smoking is extremely harmful not only for your lungs but also for your mouth and teeth.
Gum disease and inflammation are only some of the issues that this habit can cause, so to prevent further complications, you should switch to a healthier alternative and then quit smoking altogether as soon as possible. In the future, you will be thankful.
Creating healthy dental habits is essential for your overall health and the longevity of your teeth.
So, make sure you always keep the aforementioned tips in mind and start implementing them today!
About The Author:
My name is Daria Winters and I’m a passionate writer currently living and dreaming in sunny Australia. My interests are vast and my aim is to inspire readers through articles that cover lifestyle, traveling, healthy choices, and self-improvement to find inspiration for any aspect of their lives.