The mouth is intimately connected to other body parts, so your oral health routine directly affects your overall well-being. By taking thorough care of your teeth and gums, you can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Today we’ll share the five beneficial habits straight from dentists that can make a significant difference in your oral health. Read till the end to find out about the common mistakes you might make while caring for your pearly whites.
Foundation: Brushing Techniques for Healthy Teeth
While brushing your teeth in the morning and evening is imperative, many people don’t know how to do it right. Chaotic motions won’t suffice.
Stick to a proper brushing technique:
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums.
- Apply gentle, circular motions to brush all your teeth. Don’t neglect the back teeth and chewing surfaces.
- Continue brushing for no less than two minutes for deep cleaning.
Regular brushing prevents plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease.
Role of Flossing in Oral Health
Daily flossing is a must to keep your teeth and gums healthy. It helps to eliminate food particles and plaque in hard-to-reach places: along the gum line and between your teeth.
Traditional flossing is an effective prevention measure for bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. However, floss picks and a water flosser are as effective.
Learn the right flossing technique:
- Gently curve a piece of floss around each tooth.
- Move it beneath the gum line in an enveloping motion.
If you have tightly spaced teeth, choose waxed floss. A broader dental tape will better cope with wider gaps between your teeth.
Cleaning Between Teeth: Why It Matters
The gaps between your teeth are a holy land for bacteria and plaque. Food debris and plaque accumulate there, making it challenging for an ordinary toothbrush to reach the surfaces. Interdental cleaning is indispensable to avoid tooth sensitivity, decay, gum inflammation, and bleeding.
A wide array of interdental tools can help you make tight areas spotlessly clean and sanitized:
- interdental brushes;
- dental floss;
- floss picks;
- water flosser.
Regular interdental cleaning can greatly contribute to your oral health by flattering your gums, breath, and tooth integrity.
How Diet Impacts Your Dental Hygiene
Since we don’t live in times of famine, a legion of sugary, acidic, crunchy, and colored yummies are tempting your determination to maintain a healthy diet. Here’s an extra drop of motivation from dentists: your diet influences oral health.
Sugary, acidic, and rich in carbohydrates foods and drinks can erode the tooth enamel and provoke tooth decay. If you prefer calcium- and water-rich foods over pastries, candies, and sodas, you are more likely to maintain strong teeth for a longer time.
Importance of Regular Dental Checkups
Regular dental appointments might seem like a doctor’s whimsy or an unattainable luxury, but in practice, it’s quite the opposite. If you see your dentist every six months, you can save a lot of money in the long-term perspective!
Timely dental visits are meant for:
- preventive care;
- professional cleaning;
- examination of your oral cavity to detect potential issues.
If you live near Queens, New York City, you might take advantage of Vip Dental Care . If you live in other cities or states, choose a reputable clinic with highly-trained dentists to develop a “patient-doctor” alliance and take care of your smile’s health.
Avoiding Common Oral Hygiene Mistakes
The following mistakes might seem minor, but if neglected, they might cause serious issues over time.
No vigorous flossing
Striving to reduce all the debris between your teeth, you might overdo it, causing your gums to bleed. Be caring, let your gums heal, and restart the habit.
Avoid using charcoal toothpastes.
Enriched with powdered activated charcoal, these toothpastes are marketed as a natural teeth whitener. However, they appeared highly abrasive, which might result in tooth hypersensitivity and gum pockets’ discoloration.
Keep your hands away from such “whiteners” and consult a dentist about which tooth whitening solution is your best match.
Don’t brush your teeth after eating acidic foods.
Avoid brushing straight after consuming acidic foods or beverages. The acid will soften the enamel and promote excessive tooth wear. Rinse your mouth with water if you can and wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth.
Prioritize Your Dental Care
Taking sufficient care of your oral health can help avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and other severe consequences. The importance of these five habits can’t be underestimated.
From regular dental check-ups to proper tooth brushing, actionable oral hygiene practices can help keep your teeth for a lifetime. Take advantage of our tips and invest in your smile’s well-being!
