8 Oral Hygiene Tips for a Healthy Mouth and Brighter Smile

In terms of personal healthcare, dental health is usually one aspect that many neglect. However, poor oral care can cause a range of health problems. This is why good oral hygiene is something you should strive to maintain, and this goes beyond brushing your teeth daily. Having healthy teeth does require constant effort, but it is well worth it to put in that effort.

Firstly, it is because dental problems are painful. Secondly, dental issues are also expensive to treat. Avoiding decaying teeth isn’t very difficult and is ultimately beneficial to you. Good oral hygiene also helps you avoid side effects like bad breath or stained teeth that may make you uncomfortable around other people. So, to avoid problems down the line, here are 8 simple tips to help you maintain good oral hygiene and have healthy teeth for longer.

Maintain routine dental appointments

It is quite common for many to avoid dental appointments, but doing so is bad for oral health. Routine dental checks can help you keep plaque build-up under control and help the dentist spot potential problems in their early stages. In many cases, dentists will recommend getting the cleaning done every 6 months and will check for cavities. Skipping these appointments increases the risk of these problems going unchecked, which means they will worsen over time.

Use the right toothpaste

Brushing your teeth regularly is important, but using the right toothpaste is something to keep in mind as well. Avoid picking toothpaste solely based on their flavour or whitening capabilities but rather prioritise those with fluoride content. Using fluoride is one of the best ways to protect against tooth decay as it fights germs and creates a protective barrier around the teeth.

Brush teeth properly

When it comes to good oral hygiene, brushing is an important part of the process. However, what’s important here is how you brush, as brushing badly can be as good as not brushing at all. You must make sure you’re moving in circular motions across the whole of the tooth to cleanse your tooth of plaque and bacteria.

Floss daily and brush twice a day

Flossing and brushing twice a day is an essential part of oral care simply because it provides for all-around protection. When done right, flossing reduces inflammation and stimulates the gum, which can help reduce plaque. With flossing, you mustn’t let the difficulties of doing so stop you. With practice, it becomes easier or you can also opt for easy-to-use flossers for a simpler approach. Similarly, brushing twice a day accounts for the cleaning of food particles after meals, which is important to protect against tooth decay.

Additionally, you should also consider rinsing your mouth after every meal. Do this religiously to protect your mouth from bacterial build-up from any leftover food particles. Another alternative, in this case, is to chew sugar-free gum as it increases the flow of saliva, thus neutralising acid and washing away bacteria.

Stay away from high-sugar foods and beverages

Consuming high-sugar foods or sugary beverages leads to cavities. This is because sugar gets converted to acid in the mouth which then erodes tooth enamel. So, the higher your sugar intake, the more damage you’re doing to your teeth.

Do not smoke or chew tobacco

Smoking or chewing tobacco has several risks involved, one of which is gum disease. For oral hygiene, smoking stains the teeth and can also be a cause of oral cancer. Moreover, smoking inhibits the immune system, which then results in slower regenerative capabilities, impacting the tissues in the mouth.

Use mouthwash regularly

A good way to maintain a healthy mouth is to rinse it with mouthwash, especially after meals. Mouthwash serves 3 purposes, which are:

Mouthwash should be thought of as a tool to restore balance in a healthy mouth. It is particularly important for elders who find it harder to floss or brush properly. This also goes for children who may not be able to brush their teeth effectively just yet. Special options are available for children and it is wise to consult your dentist for recommendations.

Prioritize cleaning the tongue

Cleaning the tongue is often overlooked but is key to good oral hygiene. This is because plaque can build up on the tongue and over time, this can be a contributing factor to bad breath. Ideally, gently brushing your tongue should get of this problem without requiring special attention.

Following these tips for a healthy mouth is sure to help you maintain better oral hygiene and save a lot of money that would otherwise go towards dental therapy. This is an upside to consider as getting professional oral care from a specialist is costly and you may not enjoy insurance coverage for it either. However, in cases where your dental health has deteriorated and dental therapy is required, and you shouldn’t delay it or compromise in any way. Avoiding the dentist can lead to tooth decay worsening and pain intensifying.

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