A smile speaks a thousand words. And how beautiful that smiles is speaks a lot louder about your dental habits. Nobody likes to flaunt a pale smile with underlying gum and teeth problems. Having bad dental hygiene will be visible from dull and plaque filled teeth, gum bleeding, bad breath, decay, and various such problems. And it is important to pay attention to such problems as this could be the start for other chronic ailments such as oral cancer or sensitive teeth. So, here are five simple dental hygiene tips to keep in mind. This can help you evade every dental nightmare you like to keep off your life.
1.Watch what you put in your mouth: A fizzy can of soda would make a lovely drink to cope with the hot summer breeze. Or a bunch of delicious melted chocolate sundaes could make the weather seem a little better. But these foods can ruin your teeth and health more than you can imagine. Sodas contain a mixture of phosphoric and citric acid that starts to corrode the enamel of your teeth. And sugar will not only push you far from your dream weight but also take away with it the flawless smile you would like to flaunt. For almost 20 minutes after you enjoy a sugary treat, your enamel faces the punishment with acid production on the surface. So much acid could corrode the layer and cause tooth sensitivity.
So, as a part of staying in good health and maintaining flawless white teeth, try to avoid consuming too much of these foods. Try to avoid foods that cause the texture of your enamel to get damaged like citric concentrates. Replace them with healthy alternatives like crunchy vegetables, fruits, and water. If you like to enjoy the occasional treat, then make sure you brush and floss immediately.
2. Brush twice a day and with a proper technique: Food particles and residues tend to remain in your mouth after eating. And letting these settle in for too long means you are only feeding the bad bacteria in your mouth. This encourages them to colonize and take over your dental hygiene. Just like brushing your teeth is mandatory in the morning, make nighttime brushing a habit too. This will help remove the plaque build-up and avoid bacteria from causing dental problems. Also, your brushing technique matters when it comes to getting the most of it. A few strokes in a hurry cannot help you maintain a healthy mouth in the long run. Hold your brush at 45 degrees wherein every stroke of the brush covers a part of the gums as well as the teeth. Now move your brush in a circular motion and try to cover each tooth at least 20 times. The strokes must be slow and soft on the teeth. Overdoing will not make it extra clean. So do not brush too much or too vigorously.
Source: GR Sheumaker Jr. DDS
3. Try to retain some fluoride when you go to bed: The type of products you use also influence your dental health. Always include fluoride-rich toothpaste in your dental routine. It can help strengthen the surface of your teeth and protect the enamel. Use a soft bristle brush to ensure it is mild on your teeth. After brushing at night, try not to wash off the toothpaste and let it settle on the surface of your teeth. Just spit out the toothpaste and do not rinse your mouth. This could help protect your teeth and gums from bacterial infections. Include mouthwash in your dental regimen for a healthy mouth. Even after brushing and flossing, there are small crevices in the mouth that might be unreachable but contain food residue. Swishing your mouthwash could help eliminate these particles. You can use an antibacterial mouthwash, especially after brushing in the morning for fresh breath and squeaky clean teeth.
4. Pay as much attention to flossing as brushing: Brushing is an important part of your dental routine. But including flossing is very important. Brushing can only clean your teeth on the surface. The bristles of your brush cannot always eliminate food particles stuck between your teeth. Hence, your mouth may not be a hundred percent threat free even after your regular brushing. Flossing can help get rid of these particles and ensure there is no bacteria build-up. This can help reduce the risk of cavities and tooth decay. This practice can ensure you have healthy gums and teeth. Remember to floss properly to make sure you do not damage your gum line. Take about a foot of floss and wrap it around your index finger. Keep about two inches in between you will use to work with. Use a new section of floss for every tooth and try to break the plaque without hurting your gums.
Source: NEESH Dental Clinic
5. Do not skip your dental visits: Even after you follow a healthy dental cleaning habits, dentist visits can be beneficial to ensure you have good dental health. Following all this advice cannot become an excuse to skip them. Basic cleanings and check-ups at least twice a year can be good for your teeth. Sometimes dental problems could arise due to various reasons that you cannot cope with these habits. They can help you understand any possible problems such as cavity developments, and also suggest the required treatments. Following up with the treatments as soon as the problem is identified can help pace down the intensity of the issue. They can also guide you on queries about kid’s sedation options during procedures to choose the right one for you.
Source:The Indian Express
Apart from these, oral irrigators are a great choice of tools to include in your dental regimen. These are cleaning aids, which pump water in a pulsatile manner. The force helps remove dirt and bacterial products from small corners in the mouth efficiently and give you bright teeth and healthy mouth. Remember, your smile is the first thing anyone would notice about you. So, keeping it bold, bright, and beautiful will make sure you are ready to take the day.
