Sparkling smiles stem from good oral health and adopting positive oral hygiene habits to keep teeth strong and shiny. However, looking after oral health doesn’t mean just looking after teeth. It also involves keeping cavity, gum disease and decay at bay. When teeth decay or gum problems form, it leads to sensitivity and oral health concerns. This then also leads to tooth loss, jawbone de-stimulation and poor mouth functioning.
You can prevent these problems with professional dental care from your local dentist. However, it is also important to look after your oral health at home. You cannot visit the dentist every day. Therefore, here are some best practices to adopt at home to keep oral health strong and teeth white.
Best Oral Health Practices At Home
- Regular Brushing and Flossing – Fundamentally, looking after your oral health stems from regular brushing and flossing of your teeth. Brushing twice a day is important as it removes plaque, bacteria and debris lingering from the food and drinks consumed. Use a soft-bristle brush and brush in a circular motion from the front, back and the top of each tooth. Brush softly and do not use excessive force as this can lead to bleeding gums.
- Book Regular Check-ups – It cannot be said enough that regular check-ups with the dentist are an important tip in maintaining good oral health. Your local dentist is best placed to determine the state of your oral health, such as checking for signs of a cavity, gum disease, oral cancer and irregularities with your teeth. These checks are difficult to identify at home and are necessary for maintaining good oral health.
- Limit Sugar and Acidic Foods – Consuming high amounts of sugar lead to bacteria forming on teeth. Acid forms from bacteria leading to teeth becoming decayed and weak. Sugar is also linked to cavities. It is important that as part of your lifestyle, you lower your sugar and acidic intake to keep teeth and oral health strong. Sodas and dry fruits are examples of products containing sugar and acid ingredient.
- Drink More Water – Water is calcium-rich and is an important property for healthy teeth. Incorporate it as part of your diet. It also helps to use water to rinse the mouth of staining particles after a heavy meal.
- Protect Teeth From Injury – Physical accidents can occur at any time particularly if you play physical sports. It is recommended you use a custom-fitted dental mouthguard that your local dentist would create to keep your teeth protected.
- Use Fluoride Toothpaste – Fluoride has been proven to prevent cavities forming and fluoride toothpaste are available. Fluoride contains salt in toothpaste to help reduce tooth decay and cavities. Your local dentist can advise on the best fluoride toothpaste to use for strong, healthy teeth.
Summary
Without proper oral care, oral health will degrade very quickly. Therefore, regularly practice good oral habits with these tips in mind so teeth and gums stay healthy.
If you’re looking for a local dentist near you for a dental check-up, contact us here and we’d be happy to help.
