Good oral hygiene is about more than a bright white smile. It is also about a lifetime of strong, healthy teeth that do not hurt, cause infections, or cost a lot to fix. The confidence that comes from an attractive smile can affect every aspect of a person’s life.
More serious problems like abscesses and systemic infections can occur with extreme dental problems. These are easily prevented with an ongoing positive habit when it comes to teeth and gum health. Long-term dental care can prevent unpleasant realities as they age.
Learn these five easy ways to improve oral hygiene and practice them regularly for best results.
Improve Oral Hygiene – Food and Drinks
When experts make recommendations for whitening teeth, they tell people to avoid coffee, tea, wine, and other things that can stain enamel. For healthy teeth, avoid sugars and gummy or gooey food that can get stuck on or around teeth. Very acidic foods can affect enamel strength as well. Although different food and drink choices can have an influence on dental health, most people will indulge from time to time. This makes the rest of the methods listed below that much more important.
Brush the Right Way for Good Oral Hygiene
Twice per day is the usual recommendation, but brushing after every meal and before bedtime makes more sense to remove unwanted substances from the entire mouth. Do not use a hard brush or very abrasive toothpaste. An electric toothbrush may work better according to some studies. No matter what type is used, brush in a circular motion over the back and front of each tooth. Reach the gum line on all sides for best results.
How to Floss Your Teeth Properly
Every day flossing is vital for healthy teeth and gums. The floss must be pulled between all teeth and reach the gumline gently and carefully. It is designed to scrape food debris, bacteria, and plaque from all surfaces. Learn how to floss your teeth in the most effective way to help prevent gum disease.
Brush Your Tongue for Complete Care
Bacteria are the culprits when it comes to poor dental health. They accumulate on every oral surface including the teeth, gums, and tongue. Include brushing the entire surface of the tongue in the normal dental care routine for the healthiest mouth possible. There is no need to scrub it harshly. Simply run your toothbrush over the surface a few times. Tooth scrapers and brushes specifically designed for this practice are also available.
Make an Appointment for Proper Dental Hygiene
Many people avoid going to the dentist out of fear, finances, or simply a busy schedule. It is, however, one of the most important aspects of proper dental hygiene practices. Call for an appointment once or twice a year for a checkup and regular cleaning. The checkup lets patients know if there is anything wrong they need to address and the cleaning corrects any shortcomings in the daily routine.
Fashion and natural tendencies put a bright white smile near the top of the list of attractive features. Achieving that depends on proper dental hygiene practices. But brushing, flossing, and seeing a dentist regular does so much more than improve looks and confidence.
Tooth and gum health have been linked to serious health concerns like heart disease and diabetes. Poor gum care leads to oral issues that make them bleed and recede from the teeth. Bacteria causing plaque can lead to foul breath, discolored teeth, infection, and pain. No one wants to end up in dentures before retirement age.
Avoid all this with good oral hygiene practiced every day. Brush, floss, avoid certain foods, swish water to remove particles, visit the dentist, and enjoy a healthy and attractive smile for many years to come.
