Your smile matters. It affects people’s first impression of you. It affects your confidence level. It affects the way you interact with other people. Keeping your oral hygiene in check is just as important as keeping other parts of your body healthy. Aside from the benefits you get from a beautiful set of pearly whites, maintaining a good oral hygiene will stop you from acquiring diseases such as periodontal disease, gingivitis, cavities, and tooth losses.
To get you started on your healthy oral hygiene journey, listed below are five tips that will keep your teeth healthy and clean.
Brush your teeth at least twice each day
The key to taking care of your oral hygiene is to be consistent. It is recommended that one should brush his teeth at least twice per day using fluoride toothpaste. This will help remove food residues and prevent the formation of plaque, which is a sticky white film that forms over the teeth and yields bacteria.
Floss at least once per day
Flossing should be performed before brushing the teeth. Flossing prevents the accumulation of plaques between the teeth. This process can access some areas that a regular toothbrush cannot. Flossing can prevent bacterial accumulation, cavities, and gum diseases.
Consult a professional
Schedule regular appointments with your dentist. As professionals, they can monitor your oral health and check for some diseases as early as possible. It is important that any symptoms such as toothaches and gum bleeding. They can assess your condition and provide you with the most appropriate treatment. If you are located far from a clinic, there is a rising trend of mobile dentistry that can cater to your needs. These are portable clinics that cater to bring oral health services to areas that lack such.
Avoid sugary food
Sugar is notorious to lead to cavity formation and tooth decay. This is due to the bacteria in the mouth that release acid to damage the surface of the teeth. The said bacteria feed on sugar and carbohydrates as their source of nutrition. Excessive intake of food with too much sugar and carbohydrates should be avoided. When ingesting sugary foods, be sure to immediately brush your teeth afterward to prevent bacterial buildup.
Avoid teeth staining
There are two types of teeth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic teeth stains are discolorations on the external surface. It is typically caused by excessive smoking and drinking of coffee, tea, wine, or soda. These build up a film of protein that covers the enamel and leaves yellow to brown stains. Depending on the severity, these stains may be remedied by whitening toothpaste and dental cleanups.
The intrinsic teeth stain accumulates below the exterior surface of the teeth and are so much harder to remove. It may be caused by poor oral hygiene and excessive fluoride use. This requires extreme bleaching to remove, which is performed by a dentist.
Overall, a healthy mouth can only result from good habits built over time. The aforementioned tips must always be followed and incorporated into your routine. Remember to consult a dentist regularly to ensure that your oral health problems will be treated professionally.