by Anne Johnson
Achieving a bright smile and healthy teeth take a lifetime of good oral health habits. A healthy mouth is essential not only for your aesthetics and self-confidence but also for avoiding dental health-related problems. Medical specialists claim that there is a strong link between overall health and oral health. Oral health conditions such as gingivitis or tooth decay can not only lead to pain and teeth loos but also to the development of more severe health conditions such as heart problems.
Luckily, you can prevent all these problems with having good oral hygiene habits. Here are the most recommended oral care habits that will make you smile with confidence:
Clean your mouth properly
The most crucial thing for a healthy and bright smile is to brush your teeth and clean your mouth properly. There are a few important rules when it comes to properly cleaning your mouth. First of all, dental specialists recommend brushing your teeth for more than minutes to ensure proper cleaning. Moreover, you should be very careful about the way you clean your teeth. Your gums and teeth can get really damaged if you bush them too hard. Especially if you have sensitive gums, it is recommended to use a soft toothbrush to avoid causing more damage to your teeth and gums.
Also, in order to properly remove plaque and bacteria, you must use small circular motions while taking care that you brush every part of your mouth. The tongue, gums, and roof of the mouth are also important areas you need to clean to eliminate germs and built-up plaque.
In fact, brushing your tongue is extremely important if you want to ensure you always have a good breath. Since plaque can also affect your tongue, it can lead to a bad mouth odour. Thus, next time you brush your teeth, don’t remember to clean your tongue too for a fresh breath.
Choose the right dental care products
Choosing the right dental care products is paramount for optimal oral health. Making the right choice highly depends on the type of dental problems you may be dealing with. For example, if you deal with problems such as sensitive teeth or gums, it is advisable to use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Also, you should check with your dentist whether you should use a manual or a powered toothbrush.
Nowadays, when there are so many toothpaste options available at the supermarket, it may be really difficult to choose the best one for your oral hygiene. The best way to determine which one is right for you is to ask your dental specialist to recommend one. However, most dentists recommend using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash because fluoride is the most effective defense against tooth decay and gum problems. There are also fluoride-free options available for those who like to avoid it for whatever the reason.
Clean your teeth before sleep
Cleaning your teeth should be that last thing you do before going to sleep. For optimal dental health, it is recommended to clean your teeth every day two times. Dentists explain that, if possible, it is a great idea to clean your mouth after every meal. However, if you are unable to do that, at least you must be very considerable with cleaning your teeth in the morning and before going to bed.
Cleaning your entire mouth before going to bed is extremely important for maintaining healthy teeth because it is essential to eliminate germs and plaque which has accumulated on your teeth throughout the day.
Floss once a day
Good oral hygiene is vital to keep your smile healthy and avoid gum diseases. Dental specialists warn us that brushing our teeth isn’t good enough to maintain our oral health at optimal levels. Although brushing is the key element in preventing oral health issues, it needs to be supplemented with flossing.
Flossing aims to remove the bacteria, plaque, and food residues that get stuck in the area in the middle of your teeth where your toothbrush bristles can’t reach. If you really want to properly clean your mouth, you should get into the habit of flossing each day. It is recommended to floss before going to bed after you have brushed your teeth to eliminate the food residues and bacteria that have been gathering throughout the day.
Go to the dentist for regular checkups
The number one rule of maintaining good oral health is to ensure that you get your teeth and gums checked by a dental professional regularly. The experts from West House Dental Practice explain that “It is recommended to visit a dentist at least twice a year for a routine checkup to ensure that everything is fine about your oral health”. There are different dental problems that may not expose any symptom and you cannot identify on your own. Thus, it is vital to allow a dental care expert to ensure that you have a healthy mouth.
Be careful with what you eat
Good oral hygiene is paramount for healthy teeth and gums. However, having a good diet also plays a key role in helping you have a bright smile and prevent oral health problems. What you eat or drink can have a strong influence on the health of your teeth and gums. Medical specialists recommend a balanced diet with foods rich in calcium, antioxidants, and other nutrients.
For healthy teeth, you should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, dairy, whole grains, and unsaturated fats. Also, you should avoid sticky foods such as candies that can really damage your teeth decay. Moreover, dentists recommend us to avoid regular soda and coffee which can affect the teeth enamel and leave stains on the teeth surface. Instead, it is recommended to drink plenty of water to rinse away both bacteria and food particles that can turn into plaque.
Give up bad habits
If you think that smoking, drinking coffee and soda, and eating plenty of sweets won’t have a negative impact on your oral health, you are incredibly wrong. Although you might take good care of your oral hygiene, bad habits such as smoking can really affect your teeth and gums leading to several health problems.
Your mouth is in a constant battle with bacteria and germs. It is extremely important for you to brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and use the right dental care products. However, what is even more important is to go to dentist visits regularly to ensure your oral health stays at optimal levels.
Anne Johnson is a content writer with a degree in Dentistry. In her free time, she likes to share her knowledge with those interested in how to take better care of their oral health. Her experience made her a contributor writer at Behealthynow, as well as other healthcare websites.
