Many people, despite regular brushing and flossing, suffer from oral health issues. Wondering why? It takes more than just adopting the habit of brushing and flossing to ensure optimal oral health.
There are certain oral health practices that you may adopt in order to ensure you have healthy teeth and gums. Let’s take a look at them:
Brush Properly
The importance of brushing teeth is known to one and all. Still, many people suffer from health problems caused by bad breath. This is due to the fact that they don’t brush their teeth properly. Always remember that brushing properly is as important as brushing regularly. If you do not brush your teeth properly, it’s akin to not brushing at all. So, don’t rush through the process and follow the right way. Move the toothbrush in circular motions. This helps to remove plaque. Be very gentle when doing this.
Make sure every tooth is covered when you are brushing. Also, don’t forget your tongue. It is important for good dental health since plaque, apart from teeth, can build up on the tongue as well. This results in a bad odor and several oral health issues.
Use Quality Toothpaste
Always make a point to select a quality toothpaste while focusing more on its composition than flavors and whitening power. It should contact fluoride as it has been medically proven to be a strong defense against the major oral health problem – tooth decay. It basically fights off germs that are responsible for decaying teeth.
Limit the Intake of Acidic and Sugary Foods
Eating sugary foods is one of the major barriers to your way of achieving optimal teeth fitness and clean gums. The same goes for acidic foods. This is due to the fact that too much sugar becomes acid in the mouth. This acid can erode the teeth’ enamel and result in cavities, which can be very painful to deal with.
Of course, it won’t be easy to completely exclude sugary and acidic food from your diet. However, being a little extra mindful when consuming them can help a great deal in improving dental health.
Avoid Smoking, Drinking, and Tobacco
Smoking does much more damage than impacting your lungs and kidneys. When it comes to its effects on oral health, it can lead to plaque build-up, discoloration, tooth loss, gum diseases, and in the worst-case scenario, oral cancer. Furthermore, smoking also impacts the mouth’s natural ability to heal from an injury.
Similarly, alcohol has also proven to be harmful to oral health. It reduces saliva production by drying the mouth. This leads to the flourishing of bacteria and plaque in the mouth, and the outcome is painful dental issues. The fact that alcohol is mostly acidic and sugar also make it destructive to oral health.
So, if you want to get healthy teeth, limit alcohol and smoking. The same advice is applicable to tobacco consumption since it also damages the teeth and gums.
Visit a Dentist Twice a Year
While oral care at home is certainly beneficial, it’s equally important to visit a dentist every six months. Make sure to schedule your appointment at a reputable clinic that offers high-quality dental care in Bozeman.
Firstly, they will be able to treat any prevalent issues with your teeth or gums. Furthermore, during the routine checkup, they may also be able to identify any oral health problem that’s in the initial stages you were not yet aware of. Early diagnosis can save you from a lot of pain in the later stages. In addition, they can suggest some useful dental tips and ways to keep teeth strong.
Summing it up, oral health is an integral part of our overall health. Therefore, it should never be compromised. So, follow the aforementioned tips and ways to take care of your teeth and gums.