8 Tips For Healthy Teeth And Gums
ShareYour oral health is important and affects your overall health. Use the following tips to protect your oral health.
1. Brush and Floss
Brush twice a day and floss once daily to remove food remains and bacteria from your teeth. Use these tips to maximize your brushing and flossing benefits:
- Brush for at least two minutes
- Brush once in the morning and once in the evening
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to minimize teeth damage
- Wait for half an hour or so before brushing after eating or drinking acidic food
- Brush all teeth surfaces
- Don't share toothbrushes or floss
Ask your dentist about specific brushing and flossing concerns you have.
2. Limit Sugary and Acidic Foods
Acidic foods, such as citrus, dissolve tooth minerals and increases susceptibility to dental infections and injuries. Sugary foods are also dangerous because bacteria feed on them and produce acids. Limit such foods or have them with main meals to reduce their effect on oral health.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Your diet affects your whole body, including your gums and teeth. For example, you need a healthy diet to have gum tissues that don't bleed easily, teeth with adequate enamel, and strong jawbones.
4. Hydrate
Water washes away leftover food, bacteria, and bacteria products from the teeth. Hydration also encourages saliva production, which you need to remineralize the teeth and maintain strong enamel. Dehydration increases the risk of dry mouth syndrome and associated effects, such as an elevated risk of gum disease. Drink enough water to ensure you stay hydrated.
5. Avoid Tobacco
Avoid tobacco in all its forms, such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Tobacco increases the risk of oral health problems, such as oral cancer and gum disease. For example, smoking cigarettes interferes with the normal functions of gum tissues, increasing the risk of oral infections, such as gum disease.
6. Get Preventive Dental Treatment
Some people have a higher risk of oral health problems than others. Preventive dental treatment can lower such elevated risks.
For example, you have a high risk of dental caries if you have many grooves on your enamel, grooves that can hide bacteria. In such a case, your dentist can apply sealants to cover your teeth's surfaces and cover the grooves that would otherwise hide bacteria.
7. Protect Your Mouth from Accidents
Apart from infections, dental injuries can also damage your oral and dental health. For example, something can hit your mouth and crack, loosen, or knock out a tooth. Protect yourself from such injuries by wearing mouthguards whenever you face a high risk of injuries. For example, wear mouthguards during contact sports with histories of mouth injuries.
8. Get Regular Dental Examinations
Get regular dental consultations. Aim for dental examinations once every six months if you have a healthy mouth. The dentist will examine your teeth for emerging problems, clean your teeth, treat dental issues you may have, and advise you on maintaining good oral health.
Contact a dental office like Total Dentistry to learn more.