Oral Hygiene How to Keep Teeth Healthy
Taking care of your teeth is vital to ensure good oral health and a dazzling smile. Healthy teeth can boost your confidence too. However, looking after your teeth and gums also goes beyond brushing. There are many factors, including maintaining good overall health, that can affect your oral hygiene. People with diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, commonly have issues with oral health. So finding ways to improve dental hygiene can help reduce long-term problems.
To find out more about keeping teeth healthy, check out these top tips for reducing oral health problems.
How to keep teeth healthy
1. Healthy eating
A good diet is one of the foundations of healthy teeth and gums. It’s true, what you put into your body, you get out. So ensuring your intake is full of fruit, vegetables, and starchy foods such as rice, potatoes, and bread is ideal. Plus, don’t forget to eat rich sources of protein for healthy bones.
2. Reduce sugar intake
Eating food and drink is one of the top reasons why individuals experience tooth decay. To encourage healthy teeth and gums, reducing the amount you consume is the best practice. There is added sugar in lots of foods that we eat on a daily basis; some examples include:
- Sweets and chocolate
- Sugary drinks including fruit juice, fizzy pop, milkshakes, and alcohol
- Desserts
- Cereals
- Ice cream and sorbet
- Syrups and sauces
- Plus many others
3. Brush regularly
Another important step to ensuring healthy teeth is to brush and floss regularly. It’s recommended that individuals should brush twice a day and floss every day. Healthy teeth also go beyond just brushing; there are other aspects to think about in your routine, including:
Brush properly
It’s not enough to swill the brush around your mouth; the way you brush can impact its effectiveness at removing plaque. To get healthy teeth and gums, take your time to brush them correctly. Move the toothbrush in circular motions and try not to scrub too hard as this can irritate the gums.
Brush your tongue
Many people forget about the tongue when brushing. However, plaque can build up here and be a cause of bad breath. If left on every brush, it can also lead to further oral health issues.
Use fluoride toothpaste
There are many types of toothpaste on the market, but the important factor when choosing the best one is to ensure it contains fluoride. Fluoride is a leading element in the fight against plaque and will help provide a protective barrier after brushing.
Floss once a day
Flossing is another aspect of ensuring healthy teeth. Brushing alone does not remove everything in your mouth, and pieces of food can get stuck between the gaps of your teeth. If left, bacteria can build up and affect the gum line. By flossing each day, you remove this bacteria and reduce inflammation and plaque build-up. To help you floss, buy little brushes for between the teeth and tools to make it easier.
4. Choose an electric toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes can take the hassle out of brushing as the powerful circular motion does the hard work for you. While both manual and electric brushes contribute to healthy teeth, an electric one can be more effective at removing plaque.
Drink water
Drinking water is one of the best things for good oral health. It’s a great way to help remove food from your teeth after eating and provides a sugar-free rinse throughout the day.
5. Consider mouthwash in your routine
Mouthwash is often an area of confusion about whether it actually contributes to healthy teeth. The adverts you see tell you it is, but it’s how you use them that can assist in your dental care. Mouthwash can help to remove acid and excess food from your mouth after eating. It’s also great for children and older people who might not be able to floss or brush correctly. It doesn’t have to be used every day but can be a quick refresh if your toothbrush or floss isn’t to hand.
6. Visit the dentist at least twice a year
An essential part of maintaining healthy teeth is to visit your dentist. A dentist is an expert in helping your care for your teeth and will guide you on brushing, flossing, and general oral health. It’s recommended you visit a dentist at least twice a year to ensure your teeth and gums are in good health.
These visits will also check to see whether you require cavity removal or general cleaning. If you have an issue with your teeth, always visit a dentist to sort the issue. Leaving problems such as toothache or gum problems can lead to more significant problems such as tooth loss, which is irreversible.
Some insurance companies cover routine check-ups at your local dental services and may include extra assistance for more extensive work. Biltmore Family Dentistry can show you how to keep teeth healthy and provide everything you need for your family’s oral health. Contact us to book an appointment.
7. Avoid going to bed without brushing
As the recommended number of times to brush your teeth each day is two, it’s natural to brush in the morning and evening before bed. However, it’s surprising how many people miss this bedtime brush. Throughout the day, your mouth goes through a lot and eats and drinks a wide range of things. If you don’t brush before bed, it just sits and festers in your mouth until you brush the next day. You will also probably find you have prominent morning breath if you haven’t brushed before bed too. To keep healthy teeth, add brushing to your evening routine.
These are some of the main areas to consider to maintain healthy teeth and gums. It’s easy to incorporate the above tips into your daily routine. Taking the time to brush correctly, floss every day, and visit the dentist will help you achieve a confident and healthy smile for years to come.