With so much health information available online these days, it’s difficult to know what’s important for your oral health and what isn’t. We want to share 10 dental care tips with you so that you can have a healthier smile.
- BRUSH YOUR TEETH ON A DAILY BASIS.
Brush your teeth twice a day, as you’ve been told since your first dental visit as a child. Brushing removes leftover food particles that can form plaque when they combine with saliva. These particles feed the bacteria that live in our mouths naturally. Their digestive acids can erode our tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay.
2. FLOSSING IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT AS BRUSHING.
Flossing is necessary because it removes plaque from areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. If plaque is allowed to accumulate in these difficult-to-reach areas, you may develop tooth decay or gum disease, which has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s.
3. USE FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it an important ingredient in toothpaste. Using fluoride toothpaste and/or mouthwash can reverse tooth decay in its early stages, reducing the need for fillings.
4. LIMIT YOUR SUGAR CONSUMPTION, INCLUDING SUGARY DRINKS.
Because the bacteria in our mouths thrive on sugar, sugary drinks are a major contributor to tooth decay. Reducing your sugar intake, combined with regular brushing and flossing, can help keep bacteria under control.
5. VISIT YOUR DENTIST TWICE PER YEAR
Regular dental examinations are required to maintain 5your oral health. Your dentist is trained to detect early signs of tooth decay and gum disease before they progress to more serious problems. This can assist you in avoiding complicated and costly dental procedures. Most exams include X-rays to check for decay and root stability.
6. KEEP A HEALTHY DIET
A healthy diet is important not only for overall health but also for your teeth in unexpected ways. Aside from providing good nutrition by eating foods that help your bones and teeth grow and stay healthy, many fruits and vegetables are crunchy and chewy, which promotes saliva production. Foods that require a lot of chewing are beneficial to the teeth because more saliva means the mouth is naturally washed out more frequently.
7. STAY HYDRATED
Keeping your body hydrated aids in the production of saliva, which helps keep your mouth and teeth clean. Saliva washes out the mouth naturally, removing oral bacteria and the food particles on which they feed.
8. REMEMBER TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR TONGUE
When brushing your teeth, don’t forget to brush the white or yellow area at the back of your tongue to remove foul-smelling bacterial waste that causes bad breath.
9. DO NOT CHEW ON DIFFICULT ITEMS.
This may appear to be common sense, but… Try not to eat hard candies or non-food items such as pen caps or fingernails. These items are not intended to be chewed and can cause tooth damage.
10. CARE FOR YOUR TOOTHBRUSH
Your toothbrush does not require any special cleaning but makes sure it is dry after each use and there is no toothpaste left on it. Keep it upright and exposed to air, and your toothbrush will be fine!
