Good oral hygiene can help maintain the health of your teeth and gum. It includes cleaning your teeth daily, maintaining a diet, and setting up regular visits to the dentist. All of these dental habits can assist in removing plaque from your teeth and gums to keep cavities and gum disease at bay. Here are some handy oral hygiene tips you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
Brushing Regularly
Gently clean your teeth, gums, and tongue several times a day. Aggressive brushing can hurt the tooth enamel and bruise your gums. The impact of brushing hard may include gum erosion, permanent damage to your tooth enamel, and increased tooth sensitivity. Use toothbrushes with soft bristles that effectively remove plaque and bacteria and leave them clean. Remember to brush your tongue, too, to remove the plaque that builds up on it.
Flossing Once a Day
Flossing removes plaque and bacteria stuck between teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. It also prevents bad breath by getting rid of debris and food particles trapped between teeth. Flossing your teeth daily helps minimize the chances of any bacterial build-up between the teeth. If you are not certain how to floss efficiently, talk to a dentist to get tips.
Maintaining a Healthy Diet
Having a proper diet contributes to good dental hygiene and helps maintain the health of your teeth and gums. To boost your oral hygiene, eat a balanced diet with plenty of starchy foods, vegetables, fruits, and protein. Limit the intake of foods with high levels of fat and sugar. Sugary drinks can harm your teeth as they may contain acids that lead to gum erosion or tooth decay. Drink a lot of clean water to help wash away any bacteria and maintain high levels of saliva.
Avoiding Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
Smoking is detrimental to your oral health as it leads to tooth discoloration, tooth loss, gum disease, oral cancer, and plaque build-up. It can also reduce the ability of your mouth to heal if it gets injured. Alcohol can be devastating as it can cause dry mouth and reduced saliva production, which allows plaque and bacteria to thrive. Some alcoholic drinks are acidic and sugary, which can lead to gum problems, tooth decay, and, ultimately, tooth loss. Avoiding the consumption of tobacco and alcohol can boost your overall dental hygiene.
Visiting a Qualified Dentist for Oral Check-ups
Schedule an appointment with a dentist after six months of a consistent oral hygiene routine. The dentist will clean your teeth and conduct an oral examination to verify that your dental care routine is working. They can give insights on how to clean your teeth better, how to floss, and the best toothpaste to use.
The dentist will gently scrape away any plaque building up on your teeth. If you have tartar buildup caused by smoking, it can only be removed by a professional oral hygienist. If left to build up, the tartar can cause gum disease and tooth decay. The dentist can also apply dental sealants on any erupted teeth. This special coating is applied on molars and helps fill in the grooves and fissures to avoid plaque build-up.
Schedule an Appointment With a Dentist Today
A dentist can offer teeth cleaning and oral examinations. They may also offer other preventive dentistry services to give you a healthy smile. Contact a dentist today to help you maintain your oral health.
