We all know and understand that oral health is important and it takes work on our end to maintain healthy oral hygiene habits. When it comes to implementation, however, sometimes the simple basics are placed to the side due to more immediate and pressing areas of your life, or it can simply feel daunting and you may not know where to begin.
The truth is, good oral health is not complicated. You’ve heard all the right things before, but it can help to be reminded of the basics to ensure you are setting yourself up for a lifelong healthy smile. Here you will find some of the most proven tips on maintaining a healthy smile for life:
Brush Regularly and Often
Brushing is certainly the most basic and expected aspect of a healthy mouth routine. We all know that we are supposed to brush two times per day (morning and evening), but in fact it is more impactful to instead brush more often – as often as you eat a meal or enjoy a quick snack or treat. Food particles that are left remaining on the surface of the tooth after food consumption have the potential to breed bacteria that can cause enamel decay and gum disease. The easiest way and most effective way to combat this process is to simply brush your teeth every time you consume food.
If you can’t get to your toothbrush right away, another great tip is to chew a piece of sugar-free gum after eating. This will help remove the food particles left behind. Another tip is to enjoy a small piece of cheese. This will help neutralize any acids in your food that remain on your teeth.
Three tips on brushing:
-Brush regularly and often, as often as after every meal or snack.
-Be sure to position the bristles of your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle near the gum line and at the inside surfaces of your teeth.
-Use a soft bristle and lightly brush, not scrub, your teeth to ensure food particles are removed without harming the enamel.
-Don’t forget to also brush your tongue! Plaque and bacteria can also develop on the surface of your tongue. Hint: This also helps with bad breath!
Floss Your Teeth! It Really is That Important!
Some may feel that flossing is just for the superheroes in life, but the truth is that flossing is simple, requires a bit of discipline, but will make THE difference in the health of your teeth. Your toothbrush simply is not designed or able to access all of the tooth’s surface where food and bacteria accumulate on your teeth. If you want to have a healthy mouth and healthy gums, you must floss. When you floss, you disrupt the pockets of bacteria and plaque that form on your teeth, ensuring they don’t develop into major problems down the road. As well, your gums need the stimulation and cleaning that flossing provides.
Visit Your Dentist
Even when your teeth are healthy, and especially before problems emerge, stay faithful with your twice annual cleanings and dental check-up. Many people don’t bother coming if they don’t have an immediate dental need, but most of these problems can be prevented in the first place if their underlying cause is diagnosed early. Your regular checkup, cleaning, and x-rays will help ensure you don’t have costly and painful visits later.
Watch your Sugar Intake
Sugar wreaks havoc in your mouth. Sugar affects the health of your mouth as it increases the level of bacteria and acid in your mouth and on your teeth and gums. Not only that, but high consumption of sugar weakens your body’s ability to fight illness and infection. This certainly is true for dental concerns as much as it is for other illnesses in the body.
River Valley Smile Center is your family’s partner for long-term dental health and is here to help you and your family maintain optimal oral health for a lifetime. To schedule an appointment, call our friendly office staff at 479.646.0706 or, for your convenience, fill out an appointment request here: https://www.ident.ws/template_include/new_patient_sign_in.do?site=10348&practiceId=35766.
