Teeth are an important aspect of both our health and appearance. If we don’t take good care of them, it can highly affect our mouth and overall health. Also, having crooked teeth can affect our self-confidence, which can in turn have negative effects for us in many areas of our life. So, taking care of them is indeed important. Maintaining your oral health involves a few simple steps, which are easy to follow. For starters, you should get a quality, soft bristle brush and brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day – in the right way. You should also visit your dentist for checkups, floss and clean your tongue. Also, the choice of toothpaste is crucial – it should contain fluoride, which helps in removing food residue and bacteria from your mouth. A mouthwash can also be quite helpful in maintaining your dental health. Among the food and drinks, you should definitely avoid the ones containing sugar and too much acid. Take a look at some useful ways to keep your teeth healthy.
Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day
Brushing your teeth is the key aspect of maintaining the health of your teeth and mouth. You should get a quality, soft bristle toothbrush and you should change it once in a few months. You should try to brush your teeth after every meal, but if that is impossible, then at least in the morning and at night. It is especially important to brush your teeth before going to sleep as in that way you remove all the plaque and build-up that has accumulated during the day. One more crucial thing – the brushing technique is essential. You must know how to brush your teeth properly. Take your time, move the toothbrush gently in circular motions in order to clean your teeth properly.
Visit your dentist for regular checkups
Even if you do take regular and proper care of your teeth, you need to visit your dentist for regular checkups once or twice a year. Professionals, such as the ones at the Distinct Dental Centre can help straighten your teeth, remove calculus, look for cavities and prevent some potential teeth problems with the right treatment solutions.
Don’t forget to floss and clean the tongue as well
Many people neglect to floss, when in fact, they should as it is equally important as brushing itself. Besides removing food residue from between the teeth, flossing also stimulates the gums, reduces plaque buildup and decreases inflammation. It is usually enough to floss once a day for optimal results. Even though flossing might seem difficult at some points, don’t let that stop you from doing it. Moreover, plaque can also build up on the tongue, so you should clean it as well. Not cleaning plaque from the tongue can lead to bad breath but also other health issues.
Make sure that you use a fluoride toothpaste
Whatever toothpaste you choose, look at the label and look for fluoride as one of the ingredients. This substance is the main one in maintaining oral health. This is so because fluoride is the leading agent in fighting tooth decay. It works in such a way that it removes germs that can ultimately cause tooth decay, thus preventing it from happening. It also acts as a protective barrier for your teeth.
Consider using a mouthwash
A lot of people are not familiar with the benefits of using mouthwash as they believe it is only used to freshen up your breath. However, using the right mouthwash can have plenty of benefits advantageous for our optimal oral health. It is said to help us in three ways. First, it decreases the level of acid in our mouth, second, it cleans areas that you perhaps can’t with a toothbrush and third, it re-mineralizes the teeth. It brings balance to your dental hygiene. There are different types, specialized for sensitive gums, for children, and so on.
Drink more water
Water is by far the best beverage for our overall health but it can also help in oral health. Drinking water after every meal can help in removing food residue in between brushing.
Avoid sugary and acidic food
Food high in sugar and acid erodes the enamel on our teeth and it leads to cavities. So, it doesn’t hurt to be mindful of such foods as we can’t avoid them altogether.
Taking care of your teeth on a daily basis is a simple and yet effective way to maintain a healthy mouth and teeth as well as a white smile.