While some people take their dental hygiene more seriously than others, neglecting your oral health can lead to significant health issues for your teeth and gums later. In this article, we go over six ways to maintain healthy oral hygiene so you can avoid adverse outcomes down the road.
1. Brush Your Teeth Regularly
Aim to brush your teeth two times daily. Ideally, this looks like brushing your teeth in the morning and once more before bed. Some people even brush their teeth at midday (usually after lunch). You’ll be all set if you get in two brushings each day. Make sure you are using toothpaste containing baking soda, as it can help eradicate bacteria and food trapped in-between teeth.
2. Go To The Dentist Regularly
Your oral hygiene may suffer if you don’t attend regular dental visits. It’s easy to miss signs of cavities and the need for enamel repair, and you may not even realize when you need a denture lab. At your visit, you can get your dentist’s opinion to verify the state of your teeth and gums.
Dental cleanings are essential to ensure the health of your gums and teeth. Make sure you see your dentist annually for your exam so that your teeth and gums get the clean they need and rule out any potential issues spotted by your dentist.
3. Use Mouthwash Daily
Using mouthwash requires minimal effort and should be part of your oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash not only helps eradicate germs and bacteria that cause foul breath odor but also eliminates bacteria in the mouth that can lead to problems with your teeth and gums.
Use high-quality mouthwash daily as an additional way to care for your teeth properly. Swish the mouthwash for thirty seconds or more before spitting to ensure you’ve washed your mouth thoroughly.
4. Drink More Water
Daily, try to consume a minimum of eight glasses of water. Water helps to remove additional bacteria that build up in the mouth throughout the day. Hydrating regularly ensures that your teeth and gums stay clean in-between brushes. Keep a water bottle nearby to ensure you meet your hydration goals.
5. Floss Your Teeth Daily
Floss your teeth once every single day (but, ideally, more). Get every tooth to ensure you’ve checked all the nooks and crannies. Using floss with a gel coating may make removing bacteria and food from the corners of your teeth easier. You can also look up tutorial videos online to learn the most effective ways to floss. Depending on where food is stuck and if you have any dental gear, such as a permanent retainer, you may need to floss in specific ways.
If you’re finding that flossing is causing your gums to bleed, see your dental hygienist to rule out any underlying problems and try flossing more gently. You may benefit from a softer flossing agent as well.
6. Consider Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a technique that helps to remove bacteria built up in the mouth, the gums, and the tongue. Essentially, you swish a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for twenty minutes.
The oil removes the bacteria, leaving a cleaner, healthier mouth. Some people prefer oil pulling before brushing their teeth to eliminate any remaining oil taste.
Maintain Healthy Teeth And Gums Year-Round
Keeping your oral hygiene in check is all about consistency. Follow the above practices to maintain healthy teeth and gums all year round. Don’t forget to attend your yearly dental health visits as an act of preventative care.