Top Eight Dental Care Tips

Are you aware of the importance of dental care? Although everyone claims to understand the significance of oral health, not many people practice healthy oral habits.

The condition of your gums and teeth has a major effect on overall human health. Hence, individuals should do their best to keep their oral cavity in perfect condition. Besides brushing the teeth, people are also advised to floss daily, use fluoride, use mouthwash, consume calcium, limit sugary foods, avoid tobacco, and keep their tongues clean.

Have a look at these top eight dental care tips.

Brush regularly

The primary dental care rule everyone is aware of is brushing the teeth twice a day. Nevertheless, this technique is only considered effective if performed correctly. Unfortunately, many people use the wrong kind of motions and rush through the brushing process. Every tooth should be cleaned with circular motions on its front, back, and top. When performed properly, the brushing process should last between two and three minutes.

While brushing, it is paramount for individuals not to use too much force, as they can easily damage the gums and the enamel. Gum erosion and increased tooth sensitivity are also potential side effects of aggressive brushing. People are advised to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which should be replaced with a new one every three months. See this link, https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-oral-health-receding-gums, for an overview of receding gums.

Floss daily

While brushing is an essential aspect of optimal dental care, flossing should be its loyal companion. The toothbrush is not capable of reaching the tiny space between the teeth where food particles are trapped. The longer these particles remain stuck, the higher the risk of halitosis (bad breath).

Nevertheless, like brushing, flossing should be performed correctly in order to avoid pain and bleeding. The floss should be pushed down to the gum line by using smooth up and down motions. Make sure not to snap the floss, as the process will be ineffective and painful.

Use fluoride

Fluoride is an effective element to incorporate into your dental care routine. It is believed to have a tremendous influence on preventing cavities and tooth decay. Hence, most of the toothpaste and mouthwash brands use fluoride as part of the ingredient list. If the toothpaste you use contains no fluoride, make sure the next one you buy has this ingredient.

Use mouthwash

Another helpful dental care tip is introducing mouthwash to your daily routine. The purpose of this product is to prevent the accumulation of plaque on the gums, between the teeth, and on their surface. It is also beneficial in eliminating bad breath, which is caused by the bad bacteria present in the mouth cavity.

When shopping for mouthwash, the product you purchase should contain either chlorhexidine or fluoride. Both ingredients play a major role in the control of gingivitis and plaque. Nevertheless, individuals should remember that mouthwash does not serve as a replacement for brushing and flossing. On the contrary, it only complements these dental care practices.

The procedure of using mouthwash is relatively straightforward. After brushing and flossing your teeth, pour between three and five teaspoons of the oral rinse into the cup that comes with the product. Then, the contents inside the cup should be emptied into your mouth. Make sure not to swallow the liquid but gargle for about thirty seconds. After half a minute, spit the liquid out in the sink.

Avoid tobacco

Tobacco is undeniably one of the arch enemies of dental health, affecting the gums, breath, and look of smokers’ teeth. Individuals who smoke often cope with yellow teeth and tongue, which worsen as years go by. Therefore, most smokers end up using teeth-whitening kits. When looking for a teeth whitening kit, individuals should buy an enamel-safe kit, gentle on sensitive teeth. Additionally, the smell of tobacco is rather difficult to mask, which contributes to bad breath.

Limit sodas and sugary foods

The diet is of essential importance in dental care, as some beverages and foods have an adverse effect on oral health, such as sugar. Individuals are suggested to limit the consumption of sodas, which contain too much phosphorus. While phosphorus is essential for oral health, it must be consumed in low amounts. Otherwise, it can exhaust the levels of calcium in one’s body.

In addition, people should refrain from drinking beverages containing corn syrup and food dyes, as these make the teeth discolored and dull. If possible, replace sodas with milk, as the latter strengthens the enamel and improves the overall condition of teeth.

In terms of food, people should limit the ingestion of sugary foods and starches. When lingering in the mouth, these ingredients break down into simple sugars, which are a food source for oral bacteria. Therefore, try limiting your sugar intake to as little as ten percent by eating less candy, desserts, bread, pasta, chips, and crackers.

Consume Calcium and other vitamins

Calcium is the pillar of oral health, as it makes the teeth incredibly strong. It can be found in numerous foods and drinks, such as cheese, milk, yogurt, broccoli, and other dairy products. Also, there are various supplements you can use to ingest the necessary daily dose of this mineral.

Moreover, vitamin D is also important in maintaining the gums and teeth in perfect condition. In contrast, the vitamin B complex protects them from cracking and bleeding. Your dental care routine should also include potassium, iron, iodine, and copper.

Clean your tongue

An often neglected dental care technique is cleaning the surface of the tongue. Every time you brush your teeth, remember to spare a minute for brushing your tongue. Its rough surface is home to plenty of bacteria, which lead to bad breath and poor dental health. You can either use your toothbrush or a professional tongue cleaner to perform this procedure.