Oral disease affects nearly four billion people around the world. From adolescence to adulthood, we’re at some point likely to experience a cavity. Fortunately, it’s easy to minimize this with the right approach.
Want to brush up on your dental care knowledge? Join the club. Keep reading to learn more about taking the proper steps with this oral health care guide for fresher teeth and gums!
Tools and Accessories
Maintaining proper oral health care starts at home. It’s still possible to achieve that smooth, clean feeling on your teeth that you get from a dentist visit. There are oral health tools you can easily purchase at the local drugstore.
While toothbrushes help remove surface-level plaque, they only reach so many areas of the mouth. Don’t neglect to floss as this helps break up plaque stuck in between teeth that can lead to cavities. Opt for angled floss picks to help reach the molars if regular string floss is too much of a hassle.
Stick to alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent your mouth and gums from drying out. Also, consider using a fluoride rinse to maintain the strength of your teeth. These come in a variety of flavors and won’t cause a burning sensation.
You may also consider accessories such as a tongue scraper or Waterpik. Oral health problems like bad breath are due to the bacteria on the back of the tongue. Tools like a Waterpik act as a pressure washer to remove excess plaque, similar to how a dental hygienist cleans your mouth.
Practicing Oral Health Habits
Oral health is part of personal hygiene. While we may get away with skipping a shower every now and then or having dirty nails, inconsistent oral habits can have serious repercussions. At a minimum, you should clean your mouth twice a day.
Specifically, brush your teeth before bed and after waking up. Even though you’re not consuming food while sleeping, plaque quickly reforms on teeth. Keep a spare toothbrush and floss in your car if activities like work keep you away from home during the day.
Be cautious when brushing. Scrubbing too hard can wear down your teeth’s enamel and lead to receding gums. Form your technique using small circular motions and focus on reaching all sides of the teeth, including from behind.
A good order of events to follow for proper oral health care is brushing first, followed by flossing, then rinsing. This helps break up plaque and food particles before flushing them out with mouthwash or fluoride. You can also use a Waterpik in between brushing and rinsing to ensure further plaque removal.
Preventative Measures
A clean mouth is only half the battle for proper oral health as diet and nutrition have a significant impact. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains promote healthy teeth and gums.
Focus on which foods to eat, and be more mindful of the ones that contain high amounts of sugar as this is what leads to tooth decay and cavities. There’s nothing wrong with having a soda or candy bar in moderation, but poor daily habits can have longterm effects.
Dental Care
Following the oral health habits listed above with help keep your teeth in good condition. But even if you take great care of your teeth at home, it’s still important to attend regularly scheduled dental visits.
Silver Smile Dental works with patients all throughout Chino to help improve their oral health and smile. Contact us to book an appointment with Dr. Chua.