Daily Oral Care Routine Simplified
Good oral hygiene is composed of a set of habits necessary to keep teeth and gums healthy.
They are simple yet requiring a degree of discipline to achieve optimum oral health. Here are the top oral hygiene practices most dentists agree on as the most important ones.
Brush regularly but not too vigorously.
Correct technique makes brushing teeth effective. Brush using small circular motions, taking care to brush each tooth surface, avoiding the sawing back-and-forth motions. Hard brushing or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can damage enamel and hurt the gums. Remember that proper brushing takes between 2 and 3 minutes.
Use toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride.
It helps prevent cavities and tooth decay because it strengthens enamel ny mineralization. Reviews say that brushing and flossing do not prevent a person from getting cavities if they do not use fluoride. Communities also incorporate fluoride in their drinking water as recommended by the WHO, the CDC and the ADA. On the other hand, mouthwashes are antibacterial. They help control plaque and gingivitis, and help prevent bad breath.
Flossing daily is recommended.
It can remove plaque and bacteria from between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach. It can also help prevent bad breath by removing food debris trapped between the teeth.
Visit the dentist regularly.
Experts recommend a dental visit every six months, ideal to have professional cleaning done. However, it will depend on a person’s overall health, age and oral hygiene status on how frequent should a dental visit be. The dentist will be able to recommend.
Stop smoking.
It harms the body’s immune system, slowing down healing, including problems in the mouth. One is highly prone to gum disease, tooth discoloration, and bad breath.
Control sugar and starch intake.
Studies highlight the role of sugar in adverse dental health outcomes such as cavities and tooth decay. The WHO recommends limiting sugar intake to 10 percent of daily calories. Starchy food like crackers, bread, chips, and pasta, can cause tooth decay. The ADA says they break down into simple sugars that bacteria feed on that lead to acid that causes tooth decay. Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables are recommended. Drink water or unsweetened tea rather than sugary drinks.
Have questions for our Bellingham dentist?
It’s important to come get your check-up every six months with cleaning. Dentist will check if you have any issues with your gums, decay, etc. If you have any questions for our dentist, feel free to share your concerns or oral health questions.