Having good oral hygiene is crucial. It prevents gum disease, bad breath, tooth loss, and more. Plus, it saves you a whole lot of pain and financial strain in the future. By looking after your teeth and gums regularly, you won’t have to spend as much time in the dental chair. If you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can for your mouth, use these top tips for looking after your oral hygiene.
Visit a Dentist Regularly
You need to visit your dentist twice a year for optimal results. They can spot problems sooner and will give you dental advice should you need it. Plus, a hygienist will be able to fully clean your teeth, helping you keep up with your best oral hygiene. If you need more focused treatment, such as a root canal or implants, visit anglehouse.com.
Brush After Each Meal
You’ve probably heard that you should brush your teeth morning and night, but it’s usually better to brush after each meal. Start by cleaning your teeth in the morning, and then brush again each time you eat your lunch, dinner, supper, etc. It will clean off any excess food that could otherwise lead to build-up.
Floss Daily
The importance of flossing should not be ignored. Do it once a day, and you will clear out any plaque build-up between your teeth, ensuring optimal dental hygiene. Choose a time of day when you have enough time to do it properly, whether that’s morning or evening.
Avoid Sugar
Everyone knows that sugar is bad for teeth. Knowing this, you should avoid consuming too much sugar – especially the type of sugary foods that you bite or chew for a long time. Some of the worst sweet foods for your teeth include sugary drinks, lollipops, and gummy sweets. Try to avoid too many acidic foods, too, such as lemons and pickles. While these are good for your health in small amounts, too much over time will damage your teeth.
Brush Your Tongue
It is not enough to brush your teeth – brush your tongue, too. Think about it; everything that goes in your mouth goes on your tongue, so it needs cleaning each time you brush. It will help ensure you don’t have bad breath during the day.
Avoid Smoking
One of the worst habits for oral hygiene is smoking. Not only does smoking make your breath smell bad, but it also produces a build-up of plaque and tartar. On top of that, it promotes faster deterioration of bone loss in the jaw. With all the other health risks that come from smoking, it’s best to avoid it altogether. Remember – there is help out there for smokers looking to quit.
Use an Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush does a better job of cleaning your teeth and gums than a regular toothbrush. After use, you will notice your mouth feels much cleaner. It’s an expensive initial cost, but you only need to replace the head every three to four months.
With these useful tips, your teeth, gums, and dentist will thank you. As will your wallet!
