10 Best Dental Hygiene Practices for Healthy Teeth

Excellent oral and dental hygiene is paramount for preventing bad breath, developing gum disease, and maintaining healthy teeth and gums as you get older. This includes brushing twice a day, avoiding sugary drinks, and flossing in between teeth. However, you will be surprised at how many people neglect their oral hygiene on a day to day basis.

We only have one set of adult teeth. So, it’s your job to keep them in excellent condition to avoid having to get implants and dentures. To help, here are some of the best practices for keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top shape and if you need dental care now, you can make your starting point restorative dentistry and then take on the tips below!

Brush Properly

Even if you’re brushing your teeth twice a day, unless you’re using the right methods, your teeth and gums can be severely affected as a result. In fact, doing a bad job of brushing your teeth can be just as bad as not brushing at all. If you have a manual toothbrush, make sure that you move it in a gentle and circular motion. Doing so will get rid of plaque much easier. Plaque that lingers on the teeth can harden and be the leading cause of gingivitis.

Don’t Forget to Floss

You must treat flossing with the same importance as brushing your teeth. Many people believe that brushing is all they need to do to keep their teeth and gums in check. However, little pieces of food can get trapped between the teeth, which can cause plaque. This means that you need to floss in between your teeth to reduce plaque, stimulate your gums, and keep them healthy and working as they should.

Brush Before Going to Sleep

After a long and busy day, many of us love nothing more than to climb into bed and drift off into a deep sleep. However, you must get into the habit of brushing your teeth beforehand. Overnight, any plaque in your gums and teeth can harden and be difficult to get rid of. Brushing before hitting the hay will eradicate any germs that have amassed throughout the day.

Scrape Your Tongue

While your teeth and gums should be your top priority, your tongue is just as important when it comes to following a good oral hygiene routine. Plaque can build up on your tongue and increase your danger of developing gum disease. So, make sure you buy a tongue scraper and use it once a day to get rid of plaque. If you fail to do so, bad breath and other oral health challenges can occur.

Change Your Diet

The diet you follow will have a huge influence on your oral hygiene. If fizzy drinks are part of your diet, it may be time to make changes. When drinking a fizzy drink, the sugars it contains engages with bacteria in your mouth to create acid. Before long, this acid attacks your gums and teeth, increasing the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Making minor changes to your diet can make a positive difference to your teeth and gums.

Use the Right Toothpaste

When going to the supermarket, there are all kinds of toothpastes to pick from, meaning you will be forgiven if you aren’t sure where to begin. Above anything else, you must make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride which is the leading defence against tooth decay. Regardless of what kind of toothpaste you use, it won’t help your teeth and gums unless you’re serious about your oral hygiene.

Use Mouthwash

While many of us think of mouthwash as a tool for keeping our breath smelling fresh, it can also help prevent plaque build-up. As part of a healthy oral hygiene routine, finding a mouthwash that prevents tooth decay and gum disease is vital.

Quit Smoking

If you’re a smoker, you will likely already be aware of the health dangers the habit presents. Smoking not only increases your risk of heart disease, having a stroke, and cancer, but tobacco use can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. The best thing to do is give up smoking as soon as you can which will increase blood flow in your gums and keep your teeth in excellent condition.

See a Hygienist

While all the practices above are mandatory for keeping your teeth and gums in check, you may need to see a hygienist to help get rid of hardened plaque. Reputable clinics have specially trained hygienists who are experts in preventing dental cavities and periodontal disease. Reputable clinics also offer a variety of services including smile makeovers, teeth whitening, dental implants, and dentures which can all improve your smile and keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Visit Your Dentist

As well as seeing a hygienist, you must make sure you see your dentist twice a year. Your dentist can perform x-rays and examinations to ensure your teeth and gums are in great condition. If you have a fear of the dentist, there are lots of tips that can help you overcome your phobia.

Combining all the tips above can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Your oral hygiene should never be overlooked, so make sure you get into the habit of doing the above, otherwise you run the risk of developing gum disease and experiencing tooth loss.