Oral health is a very important part of our overall health and well-being. It’s essential to take care of your teeth and gums to prevent tooth loss and gum disease.
Here are a few surprising ways that you can improve your oral health.
Visit Us Regularly
Your teeth are the foundation of your smile. They also help you chew your food, talk to others, and interact with the world around you. It’s important to take care of your teeth by visiting dental professionals regularly. Regular visits allow dentists to monitor your oral health and identify any problems that may arise, including tooth decay and gum disease. Dental professionals can then take steps to help you maintain optimal dental health and prevent future problems.
Cut Down On Sugar
The American Dental Association has published a list of foods that are known to increase the risk of tooth decay. These foods are:
- Sugary drinks, such as soda and fruit-flavored drinks
- Candy or sweets, especially sticky ones
Bacteria in the mouth can use sugar in these foods to make acids that attack tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. The more often you eat these types of food, the more likely you are to get cavities.
Photo by The Humble Co. on Unsplash
Brush Better & Floss Regularly
Brushing and flossing are two of the most important things you can do to improve your oral health. They’re also two of the easiest.
Brushing
Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably in the morning and before bed. The best way to brush is to move the toothbrush in small circular motions across the tooth surfaces, paying particular attention to hard-to-reach places like behind the last row of teeth, for at least 2 minutes.
Flossing
Flossing removes plaque from where your toothbrush can’t reach. It’s important to floss at least once a day. To floss properly, wrap the end of the floss around one of your fingers and gently pull it between all of your teeth using a gentle up-and-down motion.
If you’re having trouble making time to brush and floss, try setting a timer on your phone or watch so you’ll know when the time is up. This simple act can help you develop better oral hygiene habits.
Give Up Harmful Habits
It’s not easy to quit smoking, but eliminating this harmful habit can improve your oral health. Smoking can lead to dental problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease, and quitting can help to reduce your risk. You can speak with dental professionals about how smoking negatively affects your oral health during your next checkup.
Cut Down On Soda
Many people are unaware that drinking too much soda is bad for your health. The acids in soda erode tooth enamel, causing tooth decay. Drinking too much soda can also lead to tooth erosion, which is a serious problem. For those who drink soda regularly, it can be hard to break the habit, but it is worth the effort. By cutting back on soda consumption, you will be able to prevent problems with your teeth and gums.
Using A Proper Toothbrush
A bad toothbrush can cause your teeth to get worse. Make sure the bristles on your toothbrush are soft and round. It is strongly recommended that you replace your toothbrush every three months and never share your toothbrush with another person. When you are brushing, you want to brush in small circles, making sure to brush the inside of your teeth. You also want to make sure that you brush for two minutes at a time. Finally, it is important that you use fluoride toothpaste when brushing, as it helps to strengthen tooth enamel and keep your teeth healthy.
Start Caring For Teeth At An Early Age
Good oral health is an essential component of overall health. Without good oral health, your body becomes susceptible to serious illness and disease. It is also important to remember that your child’s teeth are still developing and it is important to start caring for them at an early age.
Here are some tips for parents:
1) Make sure your child brushes their teeth twice daily and flosses once a day.
2) Avoid giving your child sugary snacks and drinks after lunchtime.
3) Be sure to schedule regular dental visits, especially when you notice any signs of tooth decay or gingivitis.
4) Encourage your child to brush their teeth before bed with an electric toothbrush if they are old enough.
5) Visit dental professionals every six months, or sooner, if they have any dental problems or cavities that need to be addressed.
Clean Your Tongue Well
Your tongue is an important part of your oral health. When not properly cared for, it can lead to bad breath and tooth decay. Here are some ways to keep your tongue clean:
- Brush your tongue with a toothbrush. This removes the bacteria that causes bad breath.
- Use a tongue scraper or an old-fashioned scraper to get rid of tough bacteria that is on the surface of your tongue.
- Try using a mouthwash with alcohol in it once per day for one minute.
- Add some salt to warm water and gargle it on your tongue for one minute, then spit out the mixture after gargling. This will kill some bacteria and cleanse your mouth.
Take Care Of Your Elder’s Oral Health
Older adults need to work on their oral health in order to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. Regular dentist visits with dental professionals are important for teeth whitening, cavity treatment, dental work, and even denture repairs.
Dental professionals can provide additional treatments like root canal therapy. If you are an older adult in need of care for your teeth, schedule an appointment with us today.
Conclusion
Good oral hygiene is something we should all be practicing every day. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to remember to brush our teeth or floss in the morning when we’re in a rush to get out the door. That’s why it’s important that you start your day with a fresh, clean mouth by brushing and flossing before you eat breakfast. It’s also important that you maintain good oral hygiene throughout the day by brushing once more at lunchtime or before dinner.
While there are many ways to keep your teeth healthy, one of the most important things you can do is limit the amount of sugar you consume. Sugar is terrible for your teeth because it causes tooth decay and cavities which can lead to tooth loss, discomfort, gum disease and even heart disease. Be sure to schedule regular appointments with your dentist to maintain a healthy mouth.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aaron Smith is an LA-based content strategist and consultant in support of STEM firms and medical practices. He covers industry developments and helps companies connect with clients. In his free time, Aaron enjoys swimming, swing dancing, and sci-fi novels.
FEATURED IMAGE CREDIT: Diana Polekhina on Unsplash
