Things you can do to Improve Your Dental Hygiene
With proper dental hygiene, you can avoid problems like cavities and gum disease, which can both be signs of poor oral health. Here are a few suggestions that you can use to take better care of your teeth and gums so that they stay strong and health.
Brushing your teeth before bed
If you’re trying to improve your dental hygiene and maintain a healthy smile, make sure to brush your teeth before going to bed. The longer you leave plaque on your teeth when you sleep, the harder it will be to remove when brushing in the morning.
You’ll also want to do a thorough job of cleaning around and under your gums. If you neglect these areas, bacteria can linger and cause gum disease or even lead to tooth loss later on. Take care of these issues now by making it a habit to brush at least twice per day: once in the morning, and again at night before bedtime.
Don’t neglect your tongue
If you’re trying to improve your dental hygiene, it may be tempting to ignore your tongue. After all, cleaning it daily can feel awkward and uncomfortable. However, a clean tongue is an important part of improving your oral health; many people have bacteria on their tongues that leads to cavities or bad breath.
To improve your dental hygiene, spend just a few seconds each day running your toothbrush over it and getting rid of any unwanted bacteria (you can also ask a dentist if there are any specific foods that should be avoided when brushing). If you get started right away with tongue scraping, you should see a difference very soon.
Brush your teeth properly
Brushing your teeth twice a day can greatly improve dental hygiene. But, doing it right is important: You should brush for two minutes, using gentle strokes and circular motions. This prevents gum recession and encourages healthy gums.
Use a fluoride toothpaste
It’s a cost effective way to protect your teeth against cavities. Make sure you read labels; most toothpastes contain some form of fluoride, but not all have enough to make a difference. We recommend 0.24% sodium fluoride or higher.
Flossing is as important as brushing
No matter how often you brush your teeth, plaque can still build up. Flossing removes food particles and bacteria that is trapped between your teeth. When combined with brushing, flossing reduces gum disease and cavities.
Consider using mouthwash
We’re told to brush twice a day, floss after every meal, but do we ever consider what we can do to make sure we aren’t doing even more damage? Mouthwash is an important aspect of good dental hygiene that is often overlooked.
Mouthwash can help reduce plaque buildup in your mouth and improve oral health overall. If you already use mouthwash regularly then good job! Keep doing what you are doing because it is working.
Consult your dentist to see if you really need to use mouthwash.
Limit sugary and acidic foods
Even if you regularly floss and brush your teeth, if you consume a lot of sugar-rich foods or drinks, it can cause tooth decay. For instance, snacking on lots of candy and soda could increase your risk of cavities. Try to avoid these types of foods altogether or limit your intake to occasional treats. Sugary foods are also acidic, which can contribute to plaque buildup on your teeth (more about that below).
Get regular cleanings from your dentist
Even if you take care of your teeth at home, your dentist can help you remove stains and identify hidden issues. And, he or she will likely be able to detect any problems that early intervention can fix, including cavities or infections that don’t yet cause pain.
It’s important to establish a relationship with a good dentist who knows what healthy teeth and gums look like and how to keep them that way. Talk to the Evergreen dentists based in Chatswood, ask us any question you may have.
