What Are Some Good Practices for Healthy Teeth?
Having good oral hygiene and health not only prevents gum disease and cavities but also improves your overall health.
Without treatment, gum issues or tooth decay can cause tooth loss, problems with self-confidence and pain. These issues may cause speech problems, malnutrition, and other challenges in one’s personal life, work, or school.
Proper dental care from a dentist near you and at home is the only way to prevent these problems and improve your nutrition and dental health.
Good Habits for Healthy Teeth
- Brush regularly and not aggressively
Most people know that brushing their teeth two times a day is among the most vital practices for getting rid of bacteria and plaque and keeping teeth clean. However, brushing is effective when you use the correct technique.
You should brush the back, top, and front of every tooth using small circular motions. This process should take two to three minutes. Try to avoid cutting back-and-forth motions.
Using a toothbrush with hard bristles or brushing too hard can damage the gums and tooth enamel. It can cause the following effects; tooth sensitivity, gum erosion, and permanent damage to teeth enamel.
The dentist may recommend changing the toothbrush after three months and using one with soft bristles.
- Use fluoride
Fluorine is a component in the earth’s soil that produces fluoride. Fluoride is an ingredient in mouthwash and toothpaste, and experts believe that fluoride can help prevent cavities.
Low fluoride levels can result in tooth decay, despite taking care good care of your teeth.
- Floss once a day
Flossing can eliminate bacteria and plaque in between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. It also helps to prevent bad breath by getting rid of food and debris stuck between the teeth.
Most dental professionals recommend pushing the floss gently down to the gumline before embracing the tooth’s side with up-and-down motions. Snapping the floss up and down in between the teeth can lead to pain and not eliminate plaque as effectively. Therefore, it is vital to avoid doing that.
- Visit a dentist regularly
You should visit a dentist after six months for dental exams and cleanings near you. During a dental examination, a hygienist cleans your teeth and removes hardened tartar and plaque.
A dentist checks for visual signs of gum disease, mouth cancer, cavities, and other oral health problems. Sometimes they can check for cavities using dental X-rays.
Adults with a good dental hygiene routine are at low risk of getting oral health problems.
You can talk to your dentist about how often you should go for a checkup. If you notice any changes in your mouth, you should see a dentist.
- Don’t smoke
Smoking harms the immune system of your body, making it difficult for your body to heal tissues, even those in the mouth. People who smoke are at risk of getting gum disease. After a dental procedure, they may experience slow healing.
Smoking affects the mouth’s appearance, causing yellowing of the tongue and teeth, and it can also lead to a bad odor in your breath.
- Try using mouthwash
Certain mouthwashes can improve your oral health. You can seek help from your dentist when choosing a mouthwash to suit your needs. Mouthwashes can also help with dental problems and bad breath.
- Limit sugar and starch intake
Cavities can develop as a result of sugar consumption. Avoid eating a lot of candy and desserts.
Starchy foods like bread, crackers, pasta, and chips can lead to tooth decay. When these foods stay in the mouth, they break down into simple sugars. Acid-producing bacteria feed on simple sugars, and this acid can lead to tooth decay.
Tailor-Made Smiles provides preventive dentistry for both adults and children. We take good care of the dental health of kids. We have treatments like dental sealants and fluoride treatment to prevent your child from getting cavities.
Benefits of Having Healthy Teeth
- Fresh breath – Proper teeth and gum care reduces the bacteria that cause bad breath.
- Prevents tooth decay – Ideal oral hygiene limits the exposure of acid-producing bacteria to the teeth, which prevents problems like gum disease, cavities and infection.
- Improves confidence – People with healthy teeth are viewed as attractive, sociable, and successful. They also feel comfortable when around others because they know others are perceiving them in a positive way.