There are a lot of conditions that can significantly affect the condition of your oral cavity. The point is that most of them occur because of poor oral care. If you want to avoid them, keep reading these seven effective tips on how to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.
1. Brush your teeth twice a day
Proper tooth brushing is one of the most important parts of proper oral care. You should understand that your mouth is full of bacteria that are fed on dental plaque and food particles. If you don’t remove them regularly, they will multiply actively. Poor oral hygiene is deemed the most common cause of tooth decay, gum disease, tartar accumulation, discolored teeth, and other oral issues. That’s why it is essential to brush your teeth twice a day.
2. Don’t neglect to floss
Dental floss is a thin soft thread that is used to remove dental plaque and food particles that get stuck between your teeth. The point is that even the most thorough toothbrushing can’t guarantee the complete removal of this debris from your mouth. So you need to use dental floss at least once a day. Additionally, if you tend to use wooden toothpicks to remove pieces of food from your teeth, you should replace them with dental floss.
3. Drink a lot of water
Insufficient hydration is a quite common issue for many people. In addition to multiple negative effects of dehydration on your overall health, it can also significantly affect the condition of your teeth and gums. Water helps produce saliva that flushes bacteria, food particles, and dental plaque from your mouth. You should also know that dehydration can cause dry mouth, bad breath, and increase the likelihood of oral infections.
4. Maintain a healthy diet
The foods and drinks you consume have a great impact on your teeth and gums. For example, if your diet is full of acids and sugar, it is not surprising that you can be prone to tooth decay and gum disease. To keep your oral cavity strong and healthy, you need to eat:
- Crunchy vegetables
- Fruits
- Leafy greens
- Dairy products
- Nuts and seeds
- Oily fish
- Eggs
Additionally, it is better to avoid or at least limit the consumption of junk foods, soda water, coffee, and sweets (especially sticky).
5. Consider fluoride treatment
Fluoride is a natural mineral that can help prevent the development of cavities. This mineral can be found in tap water, bottled water, some kinds of toothpaste, and mouthwashes. Additionally, you can ask your dentist about fluoride treatment. During this procedure, a dentist or hygienist will apply a high concentration of fluoride to your teeth to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
6. Undergo professional teeth cleaning
Many people have tartar accumulation between their teeth and near the gum line. It is essential to understand that tartar is a calcified deposit that occurs when dental plaque hardens. The point is that tartar build-up increases your risk of gum disease since it creates a perfect environment for bacteria.
7. Visit your dentist on a regular basis
Regular dental check-ups are essential for healthy teeth and gums. The point is that only a professional dentist can recognize early signs of many oral issues and perform the proper treatment. That’s why it is better to visit a dentist at least twice a year.
The bottom line
It may seem that proper oral care requires a lot of time and effort. But the reality is that it is much more difficult (and expensive) to treat oral issues rather than prevent them. That’s why you need to maintain proper oral hygiene, drink enough water, eat healthy foods, and visit your dentist on a regular basis.
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