Did you know that practicing good oral health not only prevents cavities and decay but might also prevent other health problems like cardiovascular disease? This means having good tooth and gum health is essential for your whole body’s health!
You might think that simply brushing your teeth is enough to have a healthy smile, but that’s just one part of the picture.
From visiting your dentist regularly to watching your diet, there is a lot more you need to do to prevent oral health issues. Better yet, you can take most of these steps at home!
Read on to explore five tips to get a healthier smile.
1. Get Dental Checkups At Least Twice Annually
Even if you perfectly follow the suggestions for home care, getting regular dental checkups is still essential for your tooth and gum health. Not only does this give you an opportunity to ensure your home care routine works, but it also will allow you to handle issues before they become more serious.
Your dentist will perform annual x-rays to catch cavities when they’re still small and easy to repair. He or she will also remove the harmful buildup that causes gum disease, offer advice on any oral hygiene issues you have, and possibly give you a fluoride treatment for stronger teeth.
2. Brush Your Teeth Correctly Twice Daily
While it’s a good idea to brush after each meal, brush your teeth with a soft bristle toothbrush at least twice a day to get healthy gums and teeth.
Use an electric toothbrush if you can since it will often be easier and remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush. If you do use a manual one, brush gently and use short strokes to cover all the surfaces of your teeth.
With either type of toothbrush, avoid brushing with hard pressure since this can harm your enamel. Also, replace the brush head at least every three to four months.
3. Use Dental Floss Daily
While brushing will clean your teeth’s surfaces, you’ll need to use dental floss to get between your teeth. This will not only prevent cavities in these tight spaces but is essential to your gum health.
For a healthy smile, you’ll need around 18 inches of floss, which you’ll wrap each side around your middle fingers. Using a small area of the floss at a time, firmly hold it and slide it up and down between your teeth, repeating until you’ve cleaned your whole mouth.
4. Watch What You Eat and Drink
In addition to keeping your mouth clean, avoiding acidic and sugary foods and drinks will help prevent cavities and damage to your teeth. Instead, opt for healthy drinks like water and milk and healthy foods like fruits and veggies.
It also helps to avoid chewing or smoking tobacco products. This can not only cause oral cancer but lead to gum disease that might cause you to lose your teeth.
5. Use Dental Appliances to Protect Your Teeth
If you play a sport like soccer or football, using a mouth guard while you’re playing since a hit to the mouth can crack or even knock out your teeth entirely. You can find mouth guards at sporting goods stores or even have your dentist make a custom one for you.
If you grind your teeth at night or clench them during the day, using a dental appliance like a Brux night guard is a good idea for a healthier smile. This type of night guard covers your front teeth to keep you from grinding and wearing down your teeth.
Now You’re on Your Way to a Healthy Smile!
If you’re not already brushing and flossing regularly and properly, now is a great time to start since it will lead to a healthy smile. Replacing sugary snacks for healthier ones and giving up any tobacco habits will also go a long way.
You might even ask your dental hygienist to help you practice your techniques for more effective plague removal. Your dentist can also offer additional lifestyle tips that improve your tooth and gum health.
Be sure to check out our blog for more health posts!
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