Did you know that oral health is an indication of your body’s overall health? What’s more, unhealthy teeth and gums can result in cavities and gum disease, which may cause bad breath and an unpleasant smile, affecting a person’s overall self-esteem.
Furthermore, it can cause tremendous pain, which can affect a person’s quality of life, resulting in malnutrition and an overall unhealthy appearance.
Luckily, there are steps that you can take to ensure your mouth, teeth, and gums remain healthy.
1. Regular Brushing of Teeth
Most of us know that brushing our teeth is important to fight not just the bacteria but also the plaque that they form. However, not many know the correct way to brush their teeth.
Instead of the usual back and forth motion used by many, it’s more effective to brush using small circular motions. Additionally, while brushing your teeth, make sure that you hit the front, the back, as well as the top of your teeth.
As for the type of toothbrush, it’s best to use one with soft bristles. Using a toothbrush that has hard bristles is likely to cause damage to your gum, causing gum recession and wears down the enamel. A soft-bristled brush will be gentle on your gums and teeth while being highly effective at removing bacteria.
To reduce the effects of bacteria, make sure that you brush your teeth two times a day.
2. Regular Visits to the Dentist
Going to the dentist isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. However, it’s crucial to ensure that you visit the dentist at least once every six months.
For instance, visiting a dentist such as at the Family Dental Health Center, you will receive a full oral examination where the dentist will clean plaque and tartar. They will also check for any signs of gum disease as well as tooth decay.
In case the dentist finds that your teeth and gums need treatment, you will need to make more regular visits. That said, the frequency will depend on your age, your lifestyle, and your overall oral health.
This is one more reason to visit your dentist regularly and why you should strive to have a clean and healthy mouth, teeth, and gums.
3. Using Toothpaste With Fluoride
When brushing your teeth, ensure to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. This is because fluoride, which is found naturally in the earth, helps replace lost minerals in the teeth.
There are studies that show that regular brushing of teeth without fluoride does little to protect the teeth from tooth decay. This is because there are no raw materials to replace the worn-out enamel, which is a result of the acids produced by the bacteria. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure to use fluoride every time you brush your teeth.
4. Flossing
Even with regular and thorough brushing with soft bristles toothbrush, food particles are still going to get stuck between the teeth; it’s hard for the toothbrush to reach these areas.
Consequently, the bacteria here are free to consume the food and give off acid, which burns the enamel and causes tooth decay.
Flossing is one solution to get rid of the food particles between the teeth. However, there’s a right way to do it. Make sure to hug the teeth with the floss and use a saw-like movement while pulling up the floss from between the teeth. This is more effective than just putting in the flossing and pulling it out.
5. Use Mouthwash
Note that using mouthwash is no substitute for regular flossing and brushing of teeth. However, it can prove an excellent complement to your oral health practices.
There are many different types of mouthwash available. The best one for you can be recommended by your dentist.
That said, when shopping for a mouthwash, check the ingredients and go for a mouthwash that contains sufficient amounts of fluorine.
Secondly, mouth wash that contains an antibacterial ingredient such as chlorhexidine can help control plaque and tartar formation.
6. Avoid Smoking
Smoke causes discoloration of the teeth and the tongue. It also results in a foul breathe. What’s more, smoking affects our bodies’ ability to heal.
In case you have an oral injury, it will take much longer for the wound to close up. In this time bacteria can access the wound and cause even more damage to your oral and overall health.
It’s best, therefore, to avoid smoking. If you are already addicted, take measures to get out of the smoking habit. It is best to see a specialist as they’ll be able to guide you on the best way to stop.
7. Limit Your Sugar Intake
Sugar is the number one cause of tooth decay. This is because bacteria that feed on sugar also produce acid that burns off the teeth enamel, resulting in cavities and tooth decay. Instead of sugar drinks, it’s best to drink water. This is because water contains minerals that can provide the necessary raw materials to repair damaged enamel. Too much decay will cause damage and have you reading byte reviews if you need serious dental repair and realignment from years of poor diet choices.
Starchy foods are another culprit that can enhance the rate of tooth decay. This is because starch sticks and lingers in the teeth crevices after eating. This provides the bacteria with sufficient food and enough time to produce acid that’ll burn off the tooth enamel and cause cavities. Instead of consuming starchy food, consider consuming fiber-rich foods and vegetables.
Drinking sweetened beverages, such as juice and soda, only adds sugar on our teeth, providing the bacteria with food. This allows the bacteria to produce more acid, causing cavities and tooth decay. It’s recommended, therefore, to limit sugary foods such as desserts and candy.
Final Thoughts
Oral health is of paramount importance to leading normal successful lives. Often, it’s also an indication of our bodies’ overall health.
By following the tips above on a daily basis, you can ensure that your teeth and gums are in top shape. You can continue to have strong healthy teeth and avoid tooth decay.
Don’t forget to make regular visits to the dentist to find out the state of your oral health. Lastly, don’t hesitate to care for your smile with sarasota fl dentist. If you are looking for professional dental services, do check Cross Creek Dental in Fayetteville NC.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
