The care that you take of your teeth goes a long way toward protecting the health of your smile. It is vital to take all of the steps necessary to care for your teeth to protect them from sustaining damage and remaining in good condition. Implementing the best possible steps can help to keep your teeth in superior condition. This includes everything from general brushing of your teeth to visiting your dentist on a regular basis. Here are a few of the best tips for implementing optimal oral hygiene to keep your teeth in similarly optimal condition.
Floss Daily
It is vital to floss on a daily basis to ensure that all food particles can be removed from the difficult to reach spaces between your teeth. You should floss every day either before or after you brush your teeth. Thorough flossing helps to remove all of these particles that can’t be removed through brushing alone. There are multiple methods available to aid in effective flossing, including water flossing and alternative tools. In general, traditional flossing methods are often the most effective but other methods can be used when dexterity becomes an issue. Consult your dentist when you are uncertain the best method for flossing your teeth.
Proper Brushing
Brushing your teeth is often one of the most important steps of good oral hygiene. It is absolutely necessary to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. Your teeth should be brushed first thing in the morning and last thing before you go to bed. Hold the toothbrush at an angle near your gumline. Gently brush every surface of the teeth to ensure that particles and bacteria can be effectively removed. Ensure that you change your toothbrush every few months or whenever it begins to show signs of wear. When a toothbrush wears out, it won’t effectively remove particles from your teeth.
Regular Dental Visits
It is extremely important to visit your dentist every 6 months. Your dentist provides a large selection of services to help keep your teeth in good condition. When you see your dentist regularly, they will be able to thoroughly examine your teeth. This will allow them to catch possible issues with your oral health in the early stages, before they are allowed to escalate to much more extreme proportions. A regular dental visit also includes a thorough cleaning, which will help to remove stains and harmful particles from your mouth. Tartar can buildup when plaque is allowed to harden, and it can only be removed with specific dental equipment.
Practice Good Nutrition
The nutrition plan that you follow will ultimately have a significant impact on the health of the teeth. When you frequently consume unhealthy, sugary snacks, your teeth will be incredibly vulnerable to decay and other potential issues. Changing your eating habits can help to minimize the likelihood of cavities and other issues with your oral health. Eat lots of dark green, leafy vegetables that are stock full of nutrients that aid in optimal oral health. It is additionally important to eat dairy products that are high in calcium in order to significantly strengthen the teeth.
Quit Smoking
Tobacco products in general can be incredibly harmful to your teeth. These products substantially increase the risk of oral cancer, as well as a large array of other oral-health related issues. Quitting smoking or chewing tobacco can help to reduce a multitude of issues with your oral hygiene. This can also prevent the staining that accompanies the use of these products, which goes a long way toward improving the appearance of your teeth, along with improving your health.
Use Fluoride
Fluoride provides many benefits to the health of the teeth. It comes in multiple forms to ensure that it can be added effectively to a regular oral hygiene routine. Using fluoride-enhanced toothpastes or mouthwashes can help to strengthen the teeth. Fluoride is often added to the water supply of an area due to the many oral health benefits it offers. Drinking tap water can significantly add to the amount of fluoride present in your smile. Fluoride helps to bond to the surface of the teeth and strengthen the existing layer of enamel. This provides many benefits to oral health.
Implement Mouthwash
Mouthwash is most effective when it is used in conjunction with other oral hygiene strategies. It comes in many different varieties, so it is important to obtain the appropriate mouthwash for you and your specific situation. Mouthwash helps to kill harmful bacteria that are present in the mouth. It can also aid in flushing food particles off of the teeth to protect their overall health. Many types of mouthwash contain fluoride, Lysterine, or other agents that can provide many benefits to your teeth. Never use mouthwash in place of brushing or flossing your teeth. It may freshen up the breath, but it isn’t a substitute for these other important strategies.
Drink Water
Staying hydrated provides many benefits to general health, along with many other things. When your mouth is allowed to dry out, it creates an environment that is welcoming for bacteria to reproduce quickly. Staying hydrated can help to ensure an environment that is more difficult for bacteria to grow in. In addition, most places add fluoride to their tap water. Frequently drinking this water can help to strengthen your teeth. Regularly drinking water can also help to flush out harmful particles and bacteria from the mouth.
When it comes to your oral health, it is important to take all of the steps necessary to ensure that your teeth remain healthy. Here at Mills River Family Dental, we provide a broad array of services to protect your teeth and ensure they remain in good condition. Our experts can help to ensure that you have the information necessary to maintain an optimal oral hygiene routine at home. To learn more about the most effective way to keep your teeth in the best possible condition, contact us at Mills River Family Dental today!