Oral hygiene is one of the most important practices to maintain and priorities when it comes to the overall health of your body. There is no point spending hours at the gym, or calorie counting every meal if you don’t put the same effort into maintaining the health of your teeth and gums.
Having bad oral health can cause several problems and difficulties; including bad breath, an unattractive smile and debilitating pain. All symptoms that greatly affect our physical and mental well-being.
Regularly visiting your dentist and ensuring you have consistent check-ups is a guaranteed way of ensuring and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums.
Your dentist will check the overall health and condition of your mouth, and will fix any pressing issues or problems accordingly. It is, however, down to you to take the necessary care needed to keep those problems at bay and make sure your teeth and gums stay in the best condition possible.
Why is it important to take good care of your teeth and gums?
Neglecting to clean your teeth thoroughly on a regular basis can lead to the buildup of plaque, a thin and sticky form of bacteria that builds up on your teeth.
This plaque can also build up along your gum line, damaging the gum and bone which can eventually lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
If left untreated or further neglected it can eventually lead to gum disease, some of the most obvious symptoms of gum disease are:
- Gums can easily bleed
- Gums become swollen, red or tender
- Gums have started to pull away from teeth
- Consistency of bad taste or breath
Fortunately, Gum disease is reversible and very treatable. However, it is also very preventable if teeth and gums are cared for properly and regularly. So here are some top tips that you can implement into your daily routine and regular lifestyle to keep your mouth healthy and in that great condition.
Brush At Least Twice A Day:
We’re told this from a very young age. “Don’t go to bed without brushing your teeth.” For most the message has sunk in and it has become a hardened aspect of our bedtime routine. However, laziness and a lack of being that bothered can overtake – making brushing your teeth a couple of times a day a thing of the past.
It is important to brush your teeth right before going to bed as it gets rid of the bacteria and accumulation of plaque during the day. Leaving this step out gives a chance for that plaque to harden overnight.
Also Read: Worried About Your Children’s Oral Wellness? Tips To Brush Their Teeth Correctly
Make Sure You’re Brushing Properly:
Brushing twice a day, but doing it half-heartedly, isn’t doing your teeth and gums any favours. Brushing your teeth poorly, is almost as bad as not brushing them at all. Take your time to brush properly, in a slow circular motion to remove plaque effectively.
Electrical toothbrushes are a great way to ensure your teeth are getting cleaned thoroughly and have proved to be more effective than regular toothbrushes.
Use A Fluoride Toothpaste:
Choosing the correct toothpaste is the next important step. It is important to choose a paste that has whitening and strengthening ingredients, but the most vital ingredient it should contain is fluoride.
Fluoride is a leading defense against tooth decay and works by fighting against the germs and bacteria that can lead to decay. It also provides a protective barrier for you teeth.
Also Read: Cosmetic Dentistry: A Giver of Attractive Smile And Teeth-Alignment
Floss, Floss, Floss!
As important as brushing regularly is, flossing gets to those gaps and tight spots in your teeth that brushing may miss. Flossing effectively gets those small pieces of food and germs in between your teeth.
Flossing is a great way to reduce plaque whilst stimulating your gums and lowering any inflammation in the area. Flossing once a day is enough, doesn’t matter when you do it – day, night, in between meals – whenever, just do it!
Use Mouthwash:
Mouthwash is usually the step most neglected when it comes to maintaining mouth hygiene, but it actually reaps a lot of benefits for the health of your teeth and gums. It cleans those areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush, in and around the gums, whilst reducing the amount of acid in the mouth.
Rinsing your mouth also helps remove food particles and any left over debris in your mouth. Using mouthwash shouldn’t be a substitute for brushing or flossing, it is most effective when all three are used in conjunction with each other.
