More often than not, people forget that a beautiful smile requires constant attention to one’s oral hygiene and this comes as no surprise given how hectic and demanding life can be. It is especially true for both children and adults who often forget to take good care of their teeth. Practicing good oral hygiene not only helps you look good, but it also helps prevent a range of worrisome tooth and gum diseases. As the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure”. Therefore, here are some tips on how to maintain good oral health:
Regular brushing and flossing
Brushing your teeth twice a day, ideally in the morning and the evening, will help you get rid of the bacteria accumulated in your mouth after meals. Regular brushing will also prevent bad breath caused by the buildup of bacteria in the mouth. While brushing helps clean the surface of your teeth, it is not effective in cleaning in the spaces between your teeth, which is why regular flossing is necessary to get rid of any food particles left in between your teeth.
Regular dental checkups
While following good dental hygiene practices at home would certainly ensure to keep most tooth and gum infections at bay, it is important pay regular visits to a professional. Routine visits will help identify any underlying diseases or infections through x-rays and other screening procedures, so that appropriate treatment can be provided before the condition worsens. However, in severe cases where the infection has already damaged a significant portion of the tooth, extraction procedures would be carried out. Dentists use state of the art equipment to ensure that the extraction procedure is carried out in the most efficient and painless way possible.
Taking care of dental appliances
The practice of daily oral care is just as important for people who use dental appliances such as dentures. Dentures should always be removed before going to sleep as this will help the gum tissue to heal. Regular cleaning of dental appliances is crucial in order to remove any food residue or bacteria accumulated throughout the day. If your dentures are broken or chipped, it is important to seek help from a dental clinic as emergency denture repairs are offered on site by most clinics. Therefore, is it convenient to get your dental appliances from a clinic that offers such services.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet
A balanced diet will not only help you stay in shape and keep diabetes away, but it will also contribute towards good oral care. Limiting your sugar intake will reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and reduce the likelihood of tooth decay and infections. Avoiding tobacco, mainly by quitting smoking, is crucial to the prevention of oral cancer and avoiding cavities and tooth loss.