Best Oral Practices for Healthy Gums and Teeth

Regular dental check-ups and brushing at least two times a day are incredible habits for good oral health. Doing so helps keep your gums strong and your teeth healthy, plus you won’t have to torture your friends with bad breath.

However, good oral health affects more than just your breath or cavities; it could affect your overall health as an individual. Multiple studies have established a correlation between oral health and the health of your body and have termed oral health a global health burden.

No one would ever want to have teeth with cavities or bad breath because they are a huge turnoff for most people, which in turn affects your self-confidence. It is, therefore, important to have a well defined oral health routine that not only ensures good health but also high self-esteem.

This post will highlight some great oral health habits you could pick up on to ensure your teeth are beautiful and healthy.

Brush Every Day

While most people have this habit on lock, some still struggle with consistency. As a rule of thumb, remember to brush your teeth twice a day or possibly after every meal to remove plaque and bacteria to keep your teeth clean.

It is also important to brush correctly. This includes brushing the top, front, and back of every tooth in short circular motions for about two to three minutes. Remember not to brush aggressively because you risk damaging the enamel and gums, which could lead to tooth sensitivity.

Visit the Dentist Frequently

A dental checkup is sometimes scary, but it’s necessary for excellent oral health. Unfortunately, most people rarely visit their dentists regularly. Though some studies have claimed that half of all adults in the U.S. visit their local dentist twice a year, which is at par with the recommended number of visits per year.

With that being said, it remains imperative to schedule regular dentist visits as the dentist can remove any plaque or tartar build-up on your teeth. The dentist will also check for visual signs of periodontal diseases, tooth decay, and even oral cancer.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking won’t do your body much good; you don’t even need an article to tell you that. Smoke from cigarettes makes it difficult for the mouth to heal from any sores. It also damages your skin, yellows your teeth and tongue and causes bad breath.

Floss Every Day

If you haven’t picked up on the flossing habit, then now is a good time to start. Flossing gets to the plaque and bacteria in between teeth that the toothbrush can’t reach and removes them for even cleaner teeth. Flossing regularly also prevents bad breath from food debris stuck in between teeth. Though not a lot of studies have been done on the benefits of flossing, the American Dental Association continues to recommend flossing every day.

Buy a Mouthwash

Mouthwash is great for keeping teeth clean and preventing bad breath on the go. Recent studies show that mouthwash with a compound called chlorhexidine helps control gingivitis and plaque by fighting bacteria in the mouth. Mouthwash can also help with a variety of oral health problems and will give you fresh, minty breath.

Substitute Sugary Drinks With Water

Water doesn’t have any fizz or the incredible flavors that you find in soda, but water also won’t do a number on your teeth. What’s more, water is essential for the proper functioning of your body, so it’s always important to stay hydrated. Remember that soda and other sugary drinks are the number one source of added sugar in a normal diet.

Remember Your Tongue

It’s common for people to forget their tongue when brushing their teeth. Remember, however, that plaque could build up on your tongue, which could lead to bad breath. So next time you brush your teeth, don’t forget your tongue.

Conclusion

Even with frequent visits to the best dentist in the world, you won’t be able to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape without adopting these good oral health habits.