8 Simple Dental Hygiene Tips for a Healthy Smile
Don't restrict outstanding dental hygiene only to your dentist appointments. Check out these eight simple dental hygiene tips to ensure a healthy smile.
Did you know that around 50% of Americans have some form of periodontal disease?
The sad thing is that periodontal disease is preventable. All you need to do to ward off many oral diseases is to have a good oral hygiene.
Having a good routine in place will help keep plaque and tartar from building up. This, in turn, would prevent cavities that can lead to tooth decay. It will also keep away periodontal disease and other problems.
If you're struggling to take care of your oral health, read on for some dental hygiene tips. These should help keep your teeth, gums, and your whole mouth clean and healthy.
1. Pick the Right Toothbrush
A good dental hygiene starts with using the right toothbrush that's appropriate for your teeth. It should have the right head size; it shouldn't be too big that you'll find it hard to brush the teeth at the back. Bacteria have a higher chance of thriving in areas you can't reach.
Likewise, the bristles should be small enough as well to reach into the gaps of your teeth. They should also be soft, letting you apply pressure without wearing down your teeth and gums. This is important as you have to apply enough pressure to remove the plaque.
To be sure, look for the seal of the American Dental Association (ADA).
2. Brush the Right Way and Often
Many people might not know, but there's a proper brushing technique that ensures you get all the food particles out of the crevices in your teeth. Next time you brush, use the technique recommended by ADA.
First, position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Then, start brushing the outer surfaces in short, gentle strokes. Use the same technique for the whole surface - from the chewing parts to the back of your teeth.
For the back of your front teeth, push the toothbrush in and keep it at a vertical position as you brush up and down. Don't forget to brush your tongue as well. Rinse your mouth and your toothbrush after brushing.
Brush at least twice per day.
3. Use a Tongue Scraper
Plaque also builds up on the tongue as its surface is full of crevices and elevations. Bacteria will hide in these areas, leading to a bad odor and even some teeth hygiene problems.
Rinsing with water or mouthwash won't work as they will only remove the outer cells of the plaque. The cells underneath will still continue to thrive on your tongue.
That's why many toothbrush brands today incorporate a tongue scraper on the head, at the opposite side of the bristles. This is helpful in removing that thin film of bacteria thriving on your tongue. Don't brush too hard, though, as you might break the skin.
4. Use Floss Every Day
There's a reason why dentists swear by flossing, even when patients are stubborn about doing it. Plaque can build up in between teeth and along the gum line, but a simple toothbrush won't be able to reach these parts. If left unchecked, the bacteria combined with food particles can cause cavities and serious oral diseases.
You can also use an inter-dental cleaner, which works the same way as a floss. Either way works, but if you need more insight about the two, ask your dentist about them. Ask about how to use both the right way, as well.
5. Limit Your Sugar Intake
There are many different types of bacteria living in your mouth, some of which are beneficial, but others are harmful. Some of these harmful bacteria release acid whenever they digest sugar. The acids then harm the teeth by removing minerals from the protective layer of your tooth.
The repeated attacks against the outer layer can weaken and destroy the enamel over time. This would then lead to cavities, which is why sugar is bad for the teeth. While it doesn't cause direct harm to your teeth, it fuels the process that does.
6. Consider Using a Mouthwash
A mouthwash has several uses - it can be rich in fluoride, which promotes oral health, or it can also have a formulation best for those with sensitive teeth. There are also prescription mouthwashes that dentists usually prescribe for gum diseases.
A mouthwash is great for reducing the acid in the mouth and re-mineralizing the outer layer of the teeth. It can also clean hard-to-reach areas, which is great for those who might not be able to use a toothbrush or a floss the right away.
With that said, a mouthwash is good as an extra step in your oral health care regimen, but not on its own.
7. Avoid Smoking Tobacco
Tobacco is one of the worst oral health offenders, affecting the teeth in many ways. It stains the teeth yellow, as well as the dental bridges, dentures, and other dental works. It also hinders saliva production, which is essential in keeping your mouth healthy.
Your risk of plaque building up increases, not to mention worse things like gum diseases and oral cancer. Aside from that, tobacco also affects your immune system and your healing process.
8. Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year
Don't forget to visit your dentist at least every 6 months to ensure everything is fine with your teeth and gums. Get a thorough oral cleaning once in a while to remove built-up stains, cavities, and bad breath.
Your visits should also include examinations and screenings to pinpoint any issues. If your dentist can spot it right away, they can address it before it becomes worse.
Be sure to visit whenever you notice an issue with your teeth and gums, even when it's not the scheduled time yet. Losing permanent teeth, bleeding gums, and other signs are good reasons to go to the dentist.
Ask a Reliable Dentist for Dental Hygiene Tips
We hope these dental hygiene tips will enable you to flash a healthy smile. If you need more oral hygiene tips, visit our blog today. Contact us now and schedule an appointment if you need expert care.