Best Practices for Healthy Teeth and Gums
Best Practices for Healthy Teeth and Gums: You can achieve healthy teeth and gums for life with proper daily care and maintenance. You might think that you have a beautiful healthy smile, but it is crucial to keep practicing a good oral hygiene regimen and prevent any dental concerns. Researchers have shown that there is an association between oral health and the general well-being of a person. If attention is not paid to the prevention and treatment of oral health issues like tooth decay and gum problems, you may suffer from intense pain or other discomfort, lack of self-confidence, and tooth loss. These issues may further result in speech problems, malnutrition, and poor life quality. However, you can prevent them with proper dental care and the help of your dental professional.
The things to do to keep your teeth and gums healthy involve using the right oral care products and being mindful of your daily habits such as brushing and flossing daily and undergoing regular dental check-ups. Here are our tips for healthy teeth and gums, shared by the best dentist in Chicago at First Point Dental:
Here Are Some of the Ways to Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums
- Properly Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
Every dentist recommends their patients brush their teeth in the morning as well as before going to bed at night. Brushing at night time helps in getting rid of the germs and dental plaque that may accumulate all day long. The technique used to brush teeth is very important. While brushing, move your toothbrush gently in short strokes in circular motions, focusing more on the gumline. The front, back, and top of every tooth must be cleaned. One brushing session should last for about 2-3 minutes. You must avoid aggressively swaying of toothbrush in back and forth motions and use a hard-bristled toothbrush to avoid potential damage to the enamel and gums. If teeth are not brushed properly, unremoved plaque can harden and form tartar/dental calculus and also lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease.
- Do Not Neglect Cleaning Your Tongue
Mouth bacteria can reside on the food particles on your tongue, causing bad-smelling breath and other oral health issues. For this reason, you must clean your tongue every time you brush your teeth using the tongue cleaner on the backside of your toothbrush to get rid of food junk, bacteria, and any dead cells present on the tongue.
- Best Practices for Healthy Teeth and Gums – Daily Floss
Do not forget to floss once a day. Flossing helps to remove food particles that get stuck in between the teeth which are hard to reach by a toothbrush and can cause cavities and gum disease. It is also beneficial to stimulate the gums, minimize dental plaque, and help reduce inflammation in the area.
- Schedule Regular Dental Check-Ups
Dental experts always recommend people visit a dentist bi-annually for an examination and professional teeth cleaning. During your visit, a dental hygienist removes dental plaque or tartar/calculus as well as checks for visual signs of mouth cancer, cavities, gum disease, and oral health issues. Dental X-rays are used to spot dental cavities. A dentist can help look for potential dental issues and offer treatment options at the earliest.
- Use Fluoride-Based Toothpaste and Mouthwash
Dental products like toothpaste and mouthwashes have a common ingredient fluoride, a mineral known to protect tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Mouthwash is another tool that can be used regularly as it may help lower the acidity inside the mouth, clean the hard-to-brush areas, and re-mineralize teeth.
- Refrain from Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Tobacco stains the teeth, causes bad breath, and even leads to periodontal disease, oral cancer, and other oral health issues. It harms the immune system and makes it difficult for oral tissues to heal.
- Reduce the Intake of Sugary or Acidic Foods and Starches
Sugars, when mixed with your saliva, can convert into acids. So, sugars and acidic foods or beverages when taken in excess can wear down your teeth’ enamel.
- Drink Plenty of Water
You must limit juices, sodas, or other sugary beverages as they pose the risk of cavities. It is better to drink more water, especially after meals, to wash any sticky and acidic food debris and maintain overall health.
- Eat Crunchy Vegetables and Fruits
It is best to add fresh, crisp fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery to your diet. These require a lot of chewing, which increases saliva production that will further neutralize mouth bacteria and naturally clean your mouth.
Select the Right Toothbrush – and Replace it Often
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush whose shape and size fit your mouth and can easily reach all areas of the mouth. Dentists recommend replacing used toothbrushes after 3-4 months as microbes can build up on and between the bristles.
Are you experiencing any dental issues, and want to achieve a healthy smile? Schedule an appointment with the best dental experts in Chicago at First Point Dental to get advanced dental treatments and to learn more about smart ways to take care of your teeth and best practices for healthy teeth and gums.