How to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

A healthy mouth is a great asset. Our oral health plays such a crucial role in our lives. Our teeth help us chew food, they help us to speak clearly, and also shape our face.

A healthy and bright smile also has day-to-day benefits. It gives us good confidence and has a great influence on our social and professional lives. Thus, practicing good oral health is not only crucial to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but also make a good first impression and improves our quality of life. Above all are the overall health benefits of maintaining good dental health!

But, here’s a case– Some may think that brushing is enough for good oral hygiene, or others may overlook their gums and focus only on the bright, shiny smile. Wrong!

The truth is– Oral hygiene boils down to practicing good dental care routine to prevent teeth and gums issues. Here’s how you can keep your teeth and gums healthy

Brush Daily but Not Vigorously

We all are aware that brushing twice a day is important to remove plaque and bacteria and keep our teeth clean. But, do you know the right technique of brushing?

Some of the common mistakes people make while brushing is doing it aggressively or using a hard-bristled toothbrush. Doing this will damage the gums, tooth enamel and may lead to gum erosion, tooth sensitivity, and permanent damage to the enamel.

Instead, you should brush your teeth using a small circular motion to clean the front and back of every tooth. Brush for at least 2-3 minutes using soft bristles while avoiding vigorous back and forth motion.

Use Fluoride-Based Toothpaste

Varieties of toothpaste are out there, from strengthening formula to whitening products and ingredients like baking soda.  But, you should use toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride comes from an element present in the earth’s soil that is fluorine. Are you looking for whitening trays, you can take help from Sporting Smiles. 

Several experts say that brushing and flossing are not enough in fighting cavities if you are not using the right toothpaste. Thus, make sure your toothpaste has fluoride and ADA seal of acceptance on the packaging.

Floss Regularly

Flossing removes the remaining food particles that are stuck between the teeth and under the gum line, where a toothbrush can’t have access. These are the areas where plaque can quickly build-up and lead to gum disease and tooth decay, which is why regular flossing is highly advised. However, it is also essential to follow the right technique.

Dentists recommend using the floss by gently pushing it all the way beneath the gum line with up-and-down motions. Never force or snap the floss as it can cut the delicate gum tissue. Use the same back-and-forth motion while removing the floss to bring it up and away from the teeth.

Do Regular Dental Visits

Regular dental visits are not only beneficial for your oral hygiene, but also help detect the early signs of dental problems and other health issues. A dentist Townsville will clean the teeth, and also remove plaque and hardened tartar. The dentist will check visual signs of gum disease, cavities, mouth cancer, and other oral health problems. They highly recommend both kids and adolescents to do regular dental visits to prevent cavities and other issues.

A thorough cleaning during your visit will go a long way in keeping the teeth and gums healthy. This will give you a good understanding of your oral hygiene and save you from spending huge costs on restorative treatments.  If your health insurance covers dental treatments, you can visit a no gap dentist for regular checkups and treatment.

Quit Smoking

Smoking not only makes a person vulnerable to gum disease but also weakens the body’s immune system. Smoking can make the body and mouth difficult to heal tissues. The CDC (Center for disease control and prevention) considers smoking as a major risk factor for gum disease, and people may experience slow healing during a dental procedure. 

Smoking also impacts the appearance of the mouth, causing teeth yellowing, and bad breath. Thus, quit smoking and tobacco products immediately. The good thing is that you can still take tobacco without smoking. Smokeless chewable tobacco free pouches that you can have as an alternative. It is a natural chewing tobacco substitute that was just as good as what we grew up on. All the best parts of smokeless, just without the actual tobacco.

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Use Mouthwash

Certain mouthwashes can be beneficial to oral health. It contains chlorhexidine, which is an antibacterial ingredient that helps prevent plaque and gingivitis. There are some that contain certain essential oils that are effective in controlling gum disease. A splash of it in your mouth removes tiny food particles between the teeth. Know more pediatric dentist of las vegas nv.

However, mouthwash is not something you should replace for brushing and flossing; you should use it in the end for deep cleaning and fresh breath. You can ask your dentist to recommend some good and effective mouthwash.

Limit Sugary Food and Starch

Certain foods and drinks tend to break down into sugars, causing more acid-producing bacteria to feed on it, which is one of the biggest causes of tooth decay. Common culprits include desserts, soda, sugary drinks, candy, whole wheat flour, chips, crackers, and all junk and processed food that contains added sugars.

Instead of sugary and starchy foods, eat fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, and drink lots of water.

 Wrapping Up

Practicing good oral care will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. By brushing, flossing and rinsing, stop smoking, having a healthy diet, and regular dental visits can help avoid gum disease, cavities, and other dental issues. It also benefits overall health.