It’s a common routine to brush teeth at least twice a day, particularly in the morning and before you go to sleep. However, that doesn’t guarantee you healthy teeth because even with regular brushing routine, you could be doing it all wrong. Certainly, poor oral care is a gateway to a host of dental conditions and infections such as periodontitis, gingivitis, bad breath, tooth decay, tooth loss and more. These diseases are extremely common and affect 47.2% of adults over age 30. Getting to know proper dental care options and the suitable tools to use can ensure you have strong and healthy teeth. Below are some effective dental hygiene tips you can apply.
Proper brushing
It’s one of the oldest and simplest dental care routines to maintain clean teeth. However, it’s unfortunate that some people don’t know how to properly brush their teeth thus leading to gaps and gum disease. The American Dental Association recommends that while doing your regular brushing, place the bristles at a 45-degree angle near your gum applying short gentle strokes. Ensure you create a back and forth motion reaching the outer and upper surfaces of the teeth. It’s also important to clean your tongue as it holds a significant amount of mouth’s bacteria, which is the leading cause of bad breath.
To guarantee you achieve the best results, dentists recommend the use of fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushes with soft bristles that won’t cause your gums to bleed. You can also opt to use an electric powered toothbrush that offers superior performance than conventional toothbrushes. After you are through with brushing, it’s wise to thoroughly clean off your equipment to eliminate any food particles. Store it dry and in a well-ventilated container. Lastly, you must not overuse your brush to a point the bristles are falling off. Make sure you replace it after few months of use or when the bristles start to break.
Flossing
Brushing teeth only removes food particles on the surfaces. But with flossing, you are able to eliminate substances that get stuck in between your teeth where ordinary brushing or even mouthwash fails to remove. That is why regular flossing is encouraged. When flossing, use about 18 inches of dental floss to avoid reinserting bacteria back to fresh teeth. Ensure the floss come in contact with the teeth surface and apply a gentle motion while doing that. The dental care routine can be challenging, but you can use other interdental flossers that allow you effectively reach the spaces between teeth. These include plaque remover, toothpick, miniatures brushes, water flosser among other.
Mouth wash
Brushing and flossing are limited thus you can use mouthwash. This is a sure way of destroying bacteria within the mouth and also rinsing off substances which are located deeper in the teeth. It’s simple and effective of maintaining good oral hygiene especially when you don’t have the time to brush.
Limit phosphorus intake
Phosphorus is an essential mineral for a healthy teeth. However, too much of it can lead to calcium deficiency in the body causing dental problems. Coffee and alcohol are also not good for the teeth because they contain ingredients that can cause your teeth to discolor. Doctors advise on taking drinks that contain calcium which is not only essential for strong teeth, but also acts as a teeth whitening agent.
Other elements to avoid are tobacco and snacking, as they contribute to poor dental health. Lastly, it’s vital to go for regular dental check-ups which is the best way to know the state of your teeth and also avoid future dental care procedures.