Maintaining healthy teeth and gums takes a certain amount of due diligence. Even if you have nice, strong teeth, it’s crucial you take the right steps each day to prevent future problems from occurring in your mouth. Being mindful of your daily habits and brushing your teeth regularly is just the beginning.
We’ve listed a few essential dental tips to get you started:
Never go to bed without brushing your teeth
Your dentist will generally recommend you brush your teeth twice a day at a bare minimum. The worst possible time you can miss out on brushing your teeth is at bedtime. This is the perfect time for all that plaque that’s built up during the day to get into your teeth and start causing unwanted cavities.
Brush your teeth properly
The way you brush is equally important as the act itself. In fact, as any dentist will tell you, doing a poor job of brushing your teeth is almost as bad as not brushing at all. Take your time, and move the toothbrush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque. Unremoved plaque can harden, leading to calculus buildup and gingivitis, otherwise known as early gum disease. This can end up with you spending more time in the dentist’s chair.
Remember to brush your tongue too
You may not know this, but plaque can also build up on your tongue. Not only can this lead to bad breath, but it can lead to other oral health problems too. Gently brushing your tongue each time you brush your teeth is sure to impress your dentist
Choose a toothpaste with fluoride
Instead of just looking for whitening powder and flavours, make sure you keep your eye out for a toothpaste that has fluoride in it as well. While fluoride has come under scrutiny by those worried about how it impacts other areas of health, this substance remains a mainstay in oral health. This is because dentists believe fluoride is a leading defence against tooth decay. It works by fighting germs that can lead to decay, as well as providing a protective barrier for your teeth. Ask your dentist for more information so you can make your own informed decision.
Remember to always floss after brushing your teeth
A lot of people underestimate the importance of flossing after brushing your teeth. This is an important step in your dental hygiene routine that needs to be taken seriously. Flossing is not just about getting little pieces of food that may become stuck in between your teeth, it’s also an important way to stimulate your gums, reducing plaque and helping to lower inflammation in the area. Your dentist will recommend you floss at least once a day.
Want to keep your gums healthy?
Practising good oral hygiene is the most important action that a person can take to prevent and treat gum disease. On top of good oral health practices at home, Carine Glades Dental Care recommends you book in for those regular trips to the dentist for a check-up. Located at Carine in Western Australia, phone the team on 08 9448 3922 to make a booking. And remember to check out their additional services online.