Oral hygiene is one of the most important parts of maintaining a healthy body and life. Taking good care of your teeth and gums can help avoid a whole host of problems including cavities, gingivitis, and infections. The best way to maintain good oral hygiene is to establish an oral hygiene routine. Here are 5 tips to incorporate into your everyday routine.
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Brush Your Teeth Morning and Night
Brushing your teeth twice a day is critical to keep away unwanted particles and bacteria. Eating meals and drinking liquids throughout the day can really take a toll on your teeth.
Brushing your teeth at night washes away all of the buildup from your day. If you don’t brush your teeth, this buildup will stick to your teeth, eating away at your enamel. It will also be harder to brush away the next time you clean your teeth. For these reasons, it is critical to clean your teeth at night by brushing.
It is important to brush your teeth in the morning as well because while you are sleeping, the bacteria that is naturally in your mouth multiplies. Brushing your teeth right away in the morning not only gets rid of this bacteria but also leaves your teeth with a protective layer that will fight against the food and drinks of the day.
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Don’t Forget to Brush Your Tongue
Brushing your tongue is a critical piece to oral hygiene. No matter how well you brush your teeth, bacteria and tiny food particles can remain on your tongue. Brushing your tongue ensures that your entire mouth is getting clean.
Some people think that using mouthwashes does a sufficient job in cleaning their tongue, but that is not always the case. Bacteria tends to cling, so brushing is the only certain way that you can ensure a clean tongue and mouth.
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Floss Your Teeth Nightly
Every tooth in our mouth has five surfaces. Two of the surfaces are hidden by our other teeth. So when we brush only, we automatically miss 2 of 5 surfaces. Flossing is the most efficient way to clean the last 2 surfaces, and it removes sticky bacteria from your teeth. If you don’t floss, plaque can build up and lead to a host of problems including cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.
If you make the commitment to floss your teeth nightly, make sure that you also commit to learning to floss your teeth the right way. While any technique of flossing will help, there are certain techniques that will ensure you are getting to all surfaces of your teeth and helping your gums in the process.
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Minimize Sugary and Acidic Food Intake
Your teeth already withstand a lot between chewing food and drinking liquids. Eating a lot of sugary and acidic foods makes it even harder on our teeth. Bacteria in your mouth feeds on sugar and forms plaque. If this plaque sits on your teeth and is missed by brushing or flossing, it eventually starts to eat away at your teeth.
In addition, sugar attracts bacteria that can cause gingivitis and gum disease. These diseases cause your gums to recede and can ultimately jeopardize the health of your teeth.
Acids are tough on your teeth for different reasons. Acids demineralize your teeth, making them weak and more sensitive. When you eat an acidic food, the acid sits on your teeth for some time, softening your enamel. Once enamel is gone, it never comes back.
A good oral hygiene routine doesn’t mean that you can never eat sugary or acidic foods, it just means that you should consume them in moderation. Brushing and flossing after consuming these foods can help as well.
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Visit Your Dentist At Least Twice A Year
Visiting your dentist regularly is one of the best things you can do for your oral hygiene. Dentists have a variety of tools that allow them to see and clean your teeth better than your toothbrush or floss.
No matter how well you brush, you are bound to miss a particle here or there. Dentists do an incredibly thorough job cleaning your teeth. You’ll leave the office with no plaque or unwanted bacteria. Dentists are also trained to spot early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and more. They can help you get ahead of these issues before it is too late.
If you follow these five tips, you’ll be well on your way to excellent oral hygiene. Following these steps may not always be easy, but it will pay off in the end. Afterall, better health starts with the mouth.
