Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is a 24/7 process and does not happen in the dentist’s chair. The proper dental habits at home will mean no cavities, gums, or bad breath occurring during your visit to the office. Here are ten common sense tips to keep those pearly whites shining until the next visit.
1. Brush Twice a Day – and Don’t Rush It!
Brushing twice daily is the bare minimum, but it’s not just about brushing twice daily. How you brush is equally important. Spend at least two minutes every time you brush to make sure you cover every surface of each tooth. Brush gently in soft, circular motions to avoid your gums or enamel. Electric toothbrushes are the most effective for thorough and even cleaning.
2. Use the Right Toothpaste
Not all toothpastes are created equal! Look for fluoride toothpaste, as fluoride helps to strengthen enamel and helps to prevent cavities. If you have specific concerns, such as sensitivity or gum health, ask your dentist for recommendations. There’s a specialty toothpaste available for almost every need.
3. Don’t forget to floss
Not only does flossing clean out food particles stuck in between the teeth, but it also removes plaque that your toothbrush cannot get to, such as those areas between the teeth and below the gumline. For this reason, you need to floss once every day to prevent the growth of plaque, which is a major cause of gum disease and tooth decay.
4. Use Mouthwash for Extra Protection
Mouthwash is not only a freshener but an effective tool in oral hygiene. Pick an antibacterial mouthwash that helps prevent plaque formation and the presence of germs causing gum disease. Mouthwash is able to reach parts that brushing and flossing cannot. It will be more hygienic if your mouth feels cleaner and healthier.
5. Watch What You Eat and Drink
A healthy diet significantly determines the well-being of your oral health. Try avoiding such snacks containing sugars, along with the consumption of soft drinks, fruit juices, as it dissolves and makes a hole more readily for a cavity. Make an attempt to have a minimal consumption and then try washing your mouth with water afterward. There are healthy options to maintain a good tooth-related diet like crunchy fruits, vegetables, dairy, nuts, among others that allow you to gain what your body requires while boosting the stimulation of saliva inside.
6. Drink Ample of Water
Water is general health but is particularly healthy for the mouth. Water will prevent food particles and bacteria that cause plaque to be formed and bad breath odor. If you can, drink tap water-it normally has fluoride to make your teeth strong and prevent decay.
7. Avoid Tobacco Products
Both smoking and chewing tobacco are overall bad for you, but they’re bad for your teeth and gums, too. Tobacco is one of the most significant causes of gum disease, tooth discoloration, and oral cancer. If you use tobacco or smoke, make an appointment to discuss how to quit. Your body – and your teeth! – will thank you.
8. Reduce between-meal snacks
Snacking is something most of us do frequently during the day. Sugary or starchy snacks can lead to repeated attacks of acid on your teeth, but snacking doesn’t have to be terrible for your teeth. Choose snacks that are less damaging to your teeth. Cheese, vegetables, and nuts are good snacks. Reduce cavity risk by giving your mouth a break between meals.
9. Guard Against Sports Injuries
If you participate in contact sports or other activities that put your mouth at risk of some kind of damage, be sure to wear a mouthguard to ensure protection of your teeth, gums, and jaw from potential trauma and thereby avoiding costly and painful visits to the dentist.
10. Regular Dental Check-ups and Cleanings
The most important thing you can do for your oral health is to keep track of your dental appointments. Your dentist can catch the problem early, before it gets worse, and will be able to remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth that brushing and flossing can’t get to. Make sure you see your dentist every six months, or as recommended.
Conclusion
It is your daily habits that ensure your dental health between visits to the dentist. Brushing and flossing correctly, watching your diet, and avoiding harmful habits will give your teeth and gums the care they need to stay healthy. Add these practices to regular dental check-ups, and you are on the right track for a lifetime of strong, bright smiles.
For more personal tips and guidance, schedule your next appointment with us at My Dentist Ballarat– because your smile deserves the best care every day!
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