Everyone knows that it’s essential to prioritize good oral hygiene. But all too often, most people tend to neglect its importance. It’s time for you to stop ignoring your mouth and take some action!
Taking extra care of your teeth can improve your overall health, boost your physical appearance, boost your confidence and a lot more! With that, here is what to do to prioritize dental care today.
Brush Your Teeth At least Thrice a Day
Brushing your teeth at least thrice a day is the most basic form of oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth removes bacteria buildup and keeps your smile bright!
This helps you maintain proper oral hygiene by removing food particles and other debris that could cause bad breath. It is best to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time for the best results.
Flossing
Flossing refers to the process of cleaning the gaps that form between your teeth. Flossing is crucial because it ensures every nook and cranny of your mouth gets clean, keeping bacteria away from those spaces where water cannot reach.
Studies have shown that flossing has many benefits for oral hygiene:
- It can reduce plaque accumulation by up to 52%
- Can help prevent gum disease caused due to toxins released in saliva
- Helps improve bad breath and halitosis problems resulting from food particles stuck between teeth (source) #brushyourteethatleastthriceaday
Brushing twice a day isn’t enough, as harmful bacteria on your tongue tend to accumulate during sleep hours especially if you do not brush your teeth properly. This results in bad breath and plaque formation. To avoid this, ensure you use good toothpaste for your teeth, and also get an automated flosser that can give you a deeper clean.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking is one of the leading causes of oral cancer. You must try quitting smoking, even if it means using nicotine gum or another type of replacement therapy. Oral cancer is linked with other cancers like lung cancer, so smokers must get check-ups done regularly.
If you are a smoker, these are some ways for you to quit. Try quitting smoking permanently, visit a medical professional or use nicotine replacement therapy such as gum and patches
Follow a Healthy Diet
Your diet is an integral part of your oral health. You can help your teeth by avoiding sugary foods and opting for healthier options instead.
The following are foods to avoid:
Sugar
Sugar is very harmful to your teeth. It causes tooth decay and makes you prone to gum diseases that might lead to loss of teeth. Sugary foods include candy, cookies, cakes, pies, and more. So, limit sugary snacks as much as possible!
Starchy Foods
Starchy foods are high in carbohydrates which get converted into sugar when they reach the bloodstream. They include potatoes, rice, corn flour, and others. Try not to consume these regularly if you want healthy gums and strong teeth!
Citrus Fruits & Acidic Drinks
These can be highly acidic and will adversely affect your oral health, leading to dental cavities or other problems. So don’t forget to limit your consumption!
The following foods are beneficial for dental health:
Fruits and Vegetables
They contain necessary vitamins, minerals, and fiber to promote healthy teeth and gums. Have them in moderate quantities, so you get enough fibers but not too much sugar or carbohydrates at one go.
Milk & Dairy Products
These products keep the saliva flowing in your mouth, ensuring proper neutralization of harmful acids produced by bacteria in plaque on your teeth. It is also a good source of calcium which strengthens bones and enamel, underlining better oral health overall!
Water & Fluoride Rich Foods
Water helps wash away food particles from between your teeth while fluoride-rich foods like tea and fish, enhance the strength of your enamel which is essential for fighting germs and decay causing bacteria!
Avoid Coffee and Sodas
Coffee and sodas are incredibly harmful to the teeth. They both contain acid, which can cause cavities and erode your tooth enamel.
If not taken care of properly, this will lead to severe dental problems down the road. So, avoid these if you want good oral health!
Visit a Dental Professional
This is important to do, even if your oral health is good. The reason for this is that there are some things you may not notice or feel pain from, and a dental professional can help you monitor any changes in the mouth.
Visiting a dentist has the following benefits:
- Keeps your oral health in check and is aware of any changes that may need to be addressed, such as cavities
- A dentist can help with quick relief if you have an issue like a cavity or toothache. In addition, they will refer you to the correct specialist for further treatment
- You can get professional advice on how best to care for your teeth. Dentists often give suggestions based on their knowledge of what works well for most people, so why not take advantage? A dental professional will also advise against certain things which they know causes damage over time (like using mouthwash too much).
Wear A Mouthguard
A mouthguard refers to a plastic, rubbery and reusable device placed in the mouth to keep it safe from damage. A mouthguard can protect people who play sports such as football or hockey.
In addition to protecting someone’s teeth from being knocked out, a mouth guard also protects the jawbone from fractures during an impact. Dentists recommend it for children playing contact sports because their bones are still growing and more susceptible to breaking than adults.
Use Fluoride Paste
Fluoride paste refers to a toothpaste that contains a high amount of fluoride. Fluoride is known to strengthen teeth and fight cavities. The paste can be used twice daily after brushing with just ordinary pastes, or it can be added into the ‘toothpaste’ tube for regular use alongside other products also containing fluoride.
Don’t Neglect Your Tongue
Your tongue is an essential part of your oral health as well. Make sure to gently brush it with a tongue scraper or toothbrush to remove any leftover food particles and bacteria from the surface. Don’t forget that you could also use an antiseptic mouthwash for this purpose.
But make sure not to swallow too much of it at once because then, even if the water doesn’t have fluoride, it will start washing away some vital minerals from your teeth which can lead to cavities over time.
In conclusion, oral health is essential for the overall health of your body, so it is vital to start taking care of it now. Make sure you are brushing your teeth at least three times a day and flossing regularly with an ADA-approved method to maintain good oral hygiene
