4 Great Dental Hygiene Tips!
Everyone wants to have a great big healthy smile which is why good oral hygiene is important! Having poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems in the future such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Regular check ups and cleanings can prevent these problems as well as provide you with good oral hygiene.
Here is a list of 10 Dental hygiene steps you can take to promote great oral hygiene.
1. Proper Brushing
Remember to keep your tooth brush at the best angle, an
angle of 45 degrees near the gum line. Both the gum line and the tooth surface should be in contact with the bristles. Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth using a back-and-forth, up-and-down motion, making sure to be done gently in order to avoid bleeding. To clean the inside surfaces of the teeth and gums, place the bristles at a 45-degree angle again and repeat the back-and-forth, up-and-down motion. Lastly, brush the surfaces of your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria, which might cause bad breath.
Try to brush at least twice a day to prevent acid buildup from the breakdown of food by bacteria. However, if your work or activities prevent you from doing this, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after eating to minimize the amount of food that would serve as substrate for the bacteria. Be sure to teach your little ones from a very early age. We want them to have good habits for life!
2. Flossing!
We know, it’s a chore and a lot of times it's easy to forget after brushing if rushing out the door or heading to bed. However, flossing can help you remove food particles and other detrimental substances that brushing regularly cannot. Flossing allows you to reach deep between your teeth where the toothbrush bristles cannot reach or even mouthwash cannot wash away. We recommend flossing at least once a day.
Did you know that when you don't floss you miss cleaning 40% of the surface of your teeth. This causes odor, but more importantly, it can cause bacteria to build up and cause serious damage to your teeth and even to your overall health. Floss!!!
3. Avoid Tobacco
This will be a big favor to your teeth. 1, it will save you from oral cancer and periodontal complications. 2, it will save you from the countless ill effects caused by the agents used to mask the smell of tobacco. For example, if you smoke a cigarette, you may use candies, tea or coffee to mask the smoky breath and odor. This doubles the amount of damage caused. Trust us, there is NO happy ending to smoking! Stop ASAP! Do it for your health, do it for yourself and do it for all of your loved ones.
4. Limit Sodas, Coffee and Alcohol
Although these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body’s level of calcium. This causes dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discolored. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like water, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy, beautiful smile. Water also hydrates your body longer than sugary drinks. Diet drinks are even worse, so skip them all together and start today!
