Taking care of your oral health is an important part of overall health and well-being. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, there are certain practices that you should make a regular part of your daily routine. Proper dental care at home or by consulting a dentist can be a preventive measure to avoid dental issues.
We all know brushing regularly is the basic thing to take care of your oral health. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the top 7 best practices aside from brushing for dental health that you can incorporate into your life.
So, without any further ado, let us get straight to the topic.
1. Getting Regular Dental Checkups
Regular dental checkups provide you with good dental hygiene. During your visit, your dentist will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and other oral structures and may even recommend additional procedures such as dental implants or other treatments.
Dental implants are a popular choice for replacing missing or damaged teeth. This procedure involves placing a titanium post into the jawbone, which then acts as a new “root” for the artificial tooth. The implant is then fitted with a crown to match the natural color of your existing teeth. You can get dental implants at the best oral clinics, like Carolinas Center for Oral and Facial Surgery. Their experienced team can provide you with the highest level of care to ensure that your dental implants are successful.
You can visit their website at https://mycenters.com/oral-surgery-center/procedures/dental-implants-overview/ to learn more about their procedures.
2. Flossing At Least Once A Day
Flossing helps remove food particles and bacteria from between teeth, which toothbrushes often cannot reach. Flossing also helps to stimulate the gums, reducing inflammation and preventing gum disease.
It’s important to floss at least once a day, ideally after brushing your teeth. To floss properly, start with about 18 inches of floss. Wrap the ends of the floss around your middle fingers and hold it tightly with your thumbs and index fingers. Slide the floss gently in a sawing motion between two teeth, then curve it around the base of the tooth and slide it up and down the sides. Be sure to floss both above and below the gum line.
Flossing may take some time to get used to, but with a little practice, you can make it part of your regular dental hygiene routine.
3. Avoiding Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks are one of the leading causes of tooth decay. The high amounts of sugar found in soda, energy drinks, juices, and other sweetened beverages make them incredibly damaging to your dental health. The sugar in these drinks creates an acidic environment in the mouth which can lead to enamel erosion, cavities, and tooth decay.
To protect your dental health, it’s important to limit sugary drinks. Whenever possible, opt for water or unsweetened drinks instead. If you must have a sweetened drink, do so in moderation and drink it quickly, as the longer sugar stays on your teeth, the more damage it can do. Additionally, drinking through a straw can help reduce exposure to sugary liquids as well as prevent staining.
4. Avoiding Tobacco Products
Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of oral health problems, including gum disease and tooth loss. Smoking and chewing tobacco cause staining of the teeth, bad breath, an increased risk of oral cancer, and a higher risk of developing periodontal disease. Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of developing oral health problems and improve your overall health. Talk to your dentist about ways to quit smoking, such as nicotine replacement therapy or other medications that can help you quit.
5. Wearing A Mouthguard
Mouthguards can help protect your teeth from damage caused by physical contact, such as sports and other activities that involve a lot of physical contact. They can also prevent teeth grinding and clenching, which can lead to jaw pain and headaches.
Your dentist will help you determine the best size and type of mouthguard for you. There are several types of mouthguards available, including custom-made ones, “boil and bite” types, and stock models.
To clean your mouthguard, brush it with a toothbrush and toothpaste, then rinse it thoroughly with cold water. You should also soak your mouthguard in a mild solution of baking soda and water for about 10 minutes once a week. This will help kill bacteria that may be growing on the surface of the guard.
Make sure you follow the instructions provided by your dentist when wearing and caring for your mouthguard.
6. Use Of Fluorides
Fluoride helps prevent cavities by making teeth stronger and more resistant to the acid produced by bacteria in the mouth. This can help reduce the risk of decay and the need for dental fillings. Fluoride also helps remineralize tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acids that cause cavities.
It’s also important to get enough fluoride from other sources, including drinking water and certain foods. Some dental professionals may also recommend fluoride treatments or supplements to help protect teeth from cavities.
7. Chew Sugarless Gums
Chewing sugarless gum after meals and snacks can help protect teeth against cavities and other dental problems. Sugarless gum helps remove food particles and plaque from teeth, which can help reduce the risk of cavities and other dental diseases. Chewing sugarless gum also helps increase saliva flow, which helps neutralize the acids that cause tooth decay.
To get the most out of your sugarless gum, look for products with the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. This seal indicates that the product meets the ADA’s safety and effectiveness standards.
Conclusion
Taking care of your dental health is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure a lifetime of good oral health. Maintaining good dental hygiene can prevent a host of problems, including pain, tooth decay, gum problems, and decreased self-confidence. By following the best practices outlined above, you can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and avoid potential problems down the road.
