Oral Hygiene Tips You Must Follow throughout the Year and Christmas
If you want to have a great smile like everyone you must understand that oral hygiene is extremely important. If you are following poor oral hygiene it can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems such as gum disease, bone loss, heart disease, strokes, infections and more. Regular checkups and cleanings can prevent any of the problems mentioned while giving you good oral hygiene. Given below is a list of tips that you must follow throughout the year and especially as Christmas approaches within a short time.
Brushing Properly
One of the best steps to keep your teeth clean is to begin brushing properly. When brushing your teeth position the bristles at an angle of 45° near the gum line. The gum line, as well as the tooth surface, must both be in contact with the bristles. The outer surfaces of your teeth should be brushed using a back-and-forth motion as well as up-and-down motion ensuring you do it gently to avoid causing bleeding. You can use the 45° angle again on the inner side and repeat the motions suggested. Finally, brush the surface of your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove the bacteria which causes bad breath. You must be brushing at least twice a day for two minutes each to prevent the buildup of acids from the breakdown of food by bacteria. However, if your activities prevent you from indulging in this activity rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to minimize the food particles and debris that can serve as a substrate for the bacteria.
Flossing
Flossing may sound like an exercise but it is necessary to remove food particles and other detrimental substances from between your teeth. It will help you to reach areas of the mouth by the toothbrush cannot. Therefore, you should be flossing at least once a day.
Avoiding Tobacco
Do your teeth a big favor by avoiding tobacco in any form altogether. Not only will this save you from oral cancer but also from the periodontal disease that can make it necessary for you to wear dentures in your mouth. You will also suffer from bad breath because of the smoky flavor while harming yourself also when you try to mask the smell by chewing candy, having coffee, or mints. The damage you cause will be doubled by these efforts.
Limit The Use of Coffee, Alcohol, and Soda
The beverages mentioned contain high levels of phosphorus which is necessary for a healthy mouth but having too much of it can decrease the level of calcium in the body. It can cause dental hygiene problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Taking calcium supplements should be preferred as prescribed as they are necessary for maintaining the health of the gums and the teeth. You can protect your teeth by having vitamin B complex as it can stop your gums and teeth from cracking or bleeding.
Dental Visits
Visit your dentist at least twice a year to have a full evaluation of your oral hygiene. The dentist may conduct a comprehensive exam with x-rays to detect and prevent issues and dental treatments in the future.
Use Mouthwash After Brushing and Flossing
This is not a must because not all mouthwashes available are beneficial. However, if you’re using a mouthwash with Listerine or chlorine dioxide it has helpful ingredients to kill and maintain bacteria in your mouth. It also helps you to maintain good breath and strong teeth. Mouthwash will not help you in any way if you are following good oral hygiene tips and also visiting your dentist. It is just the icing on the cake that will make your dental health better by a tiny margin.
Dealing with Toothaches or Other Problems?
If you have tooth or jaw pain contact your dentist at the earliest. The dentist may need to diagnose the underlying causes of the pain and rectify it before it emerges as a major problem.
Consider the Big Picture
Everyone understands that taking good care of the teeth by using a mouthguard when playing contact sports can help to maintain your looks, prevent the need for sedation dentistry, and keep dental bills at bay. Problems with your tooth can lead to systemic infections, diabetes, heart disease, make you incapable of speaking or eating properly and even some life-threatening problems. Crooked and crowded teeth can lead to gum disease that will eventually leave you toothless. Your looks are not the only reason why you need straight teeth.
Your tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria that live on the rougher surface of the tongue. Eliminating the bacteria from your mouth by cleaning the surface of your tongue every day is essential. The bacteria can contribute to the condition of halitosis to negatively affect your dental health.
The oral hygiene tips recommended must be followed every single day rather than just the time when Christmas is arriving. Following the tips, every day will make your dental health better and leave you free to smile at everyone on Christmas Day.