Ways to Maintain Healthy Oral Care

Our oral hygiene and care are essential in maintaining a healthy smile. Oral health is more than just cavities and gum disease, it improves our overall health and self-confidence. Poor oral health can lead to tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth sensitivity, bad breath, unattractive smiles, and systemic disease. It can also create challenges in your personal life such as malnutrition or self-confidence. You can prevent these problems with simple dental care. The following are some of the best practices that can keep your smile healthy.  

1. Brush Your Teeth Before Bed 

It's highly recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Many of us continue to neglect to brush our teeth at night but it's as important as brushing in the morning. By brushing our teeth before bed, we are getting rid of germs and plaque that accumulate throughout the day. While we sleep, these party germs are multiplying significantly which can result in poor breath and lead to other dental issues. 

2. Brush Properly 

Brushing your teeth properly is extremely essential to good care, poor brushing is almost as bad as not brushing at all. Many of us tend to rush by applying too much pressure or using medium to hard bristle brushes which can result in damaged enamel or not removing plaque that can lead to calculus buildup or early gum disease. Take your time when brushing your teeth by using a soft-bristled brush. Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle in circular strokes. Brush the outer surfaces, inner surfaces as well as your tongue. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months and make sure to use ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. 

3. Regularly Floss 

Flossing at least once a day is critical to your oral care. It’s not only meant to retrieve stuck pieces of left-over food between your teeth but it’s a way to reduce interproximal plaque, inflammation, and bone loss. Use gentle care when flossing between your teeth in a rubbing motion, and don’t snap the floss into the gums which can result in bleeding. If you find flossing difficult due to a medical condition, try to use ready-to-use dental flossers from your local drugstore.     

4. Use Mouthwash 

By using mouthwash, you are reducing the amount of acid in your mouth, preventing gingivitis, re-mineralizing teeth, and providing a fresh breath. It’s a great tool in combination with brushing and flossing in combating those areas that you haven’t covered or are too hard to get to. 

5. Maintain A Healthy Diet 

Maintaining a healthy diet is an essential way to keep our teeth and mouth healthy but also improve overall health. To maintain a healthy oral diet, drink more water. Fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay and wash out sticky and acidic foods. Try to eat more fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, as fiber helps with keeping our teeth and gums clean. Such foods include cheese, milk, yogurt, or other dairy products. Unless you’re a shark, try to avoid and limit sugary and acidic foods such as candies and sweets, sticky foods that can get stuck in your mouth, carbonated soft drinks, and other substances that dry out your mouth. Use xylitol gum to stimulate your saliva, reduce tooth decay & gum disease and reverse certain forms of cavity lesions. 

6. Use A Mouthguard 

If you grind or clench your teeth during sleep, you should consider sleeping with a mouthguard. Without protection, you may develop headaches, TMD, or cause your teeth to wear. This can result in the risk of tooth fracture or loss. If you’re involved in certain sports or recreational activities such as boxing, football, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, or basketball highly consider a mouthguard. Mouthguards are meant to minimize the risk of injuries to your tongue, gums, lips, jaw, and most importantly your teeth.   

7. Regularly Visit Your Dentist 

Experts recommend that people see a dentist twice a year for a checkup or every 6 months. With a dental visit, you can expect to complete a routine dental examination to look for any cavities or other potential issues such as gum disease or mouth cancer. A hygienist can clean your teeth and remove any plaque, calculus, and hardened tartar. If you have dental insurance, take advantage of it!     

If you’re looking for a healthy smile, take great pride and care of your oral health. If you’ve ever wondered why sharks show their teeth a lot, that’s because they maintain great oral care and always want to show their best smile! Remember, your day starts with your smile!