Tips for Maintaining Good Dental Hygiene

by Robert Johnson Blogs on Latest News

Your smile and overall oral health depend on simple dental care habits, including brushing and flossing. But these alone don’t give your mouth all the attention it needs. Good oral health can improve the quality of your life with a combination of social, physiological, and psychological benefits. Poor dental care can lead to severe issues, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory infections, dementia, and diabetic complications. According to the World Health Organization, almost 3.58 billion people in the world suffered from oral disease in the year 2016. Achieving healthy teeth takes a lifetime commitment and involves using the right oral care products and being mindful of your daily habits. Here are a few tips to keep your pearly whites bright and shiny.

Brushing and Flossing

Brush your teeth twice a day to maintain good oral hygiene. Brushing regularly prevents bacteria build-up, removes teeth stains, and reduces the chances of getting a stroke or heart attack. Also, make sure you brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Move your toothbrush in a circular motion to remove plaque and decrease your chances of getting gingivitis. Be sure to keep your brushing equipment clean and get in a new toothbrush every three months. Make sure you floss your teeth as well. Flossing removes sticky bacteria, food particles, and plaque in areas that your a toothbrush can’t reach.

The Right Toothpaste

Regular brushing with a healthy toothpaste can help to keep cavities at bay. Make sure to brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste to strengthen tooth enamel, make teeth resistant to bacteria, and prevent tooth decay. It fights germs, provides a protective shell to your teeth, and raises the rate of the re-mineralization process. After brushing, do not rinse. Instead, spit the toothpaste out to keep the fluoride content on your teeth for a long time.

Regular Dental Visits

A regular dental check-up can keep your teeth and gums healthy. It can also detect problems early and prevent mouth diseases. During the visit, your dentist will thoroughly examine your overall oral health for any trouble areas. He or she will also perform a professional cleaning of your mouth to remove tartar and plaque from your teeth. You can also discuss treatments for whitening your teeth or correcting the shape of crooked or misaligned teeth.

Habits

If you consume too much junk food, sweetened fruit drinks, sugar-filled sodas, cookies, and pastries, these can contribute to tooth decay. The sugar can convert into acid and erode the enamel on your teeth leading to gum disease. If left untreated, it can result in tooth loss. Instead, make good habits and eat a healthy diet that includes whole grains, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, green and black tea, sugarless chewing gum, low-fat dairy foods, fish, poultry, peas, and legumes to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Bad habits including clenching your jaw, biting your nails, chewing ice, eating hard sweets, and brushing your teeth too hard also can result in oral damage. Keep these habits in check and ask your dentist if you have any concerns about your teeth or oral health.

These tips can help your mouth healthy and your smile looking it’s best.