Dentists aren’t just concerned with the condition of your teeth. They’ll be looking at the health of your whole mouth, including your gums, jawbone, cheeks and tongue. Taking good care of your mouth requires committing to a daily oral hygiene routine and seeing a dentist at least once per year. Let’s take a look at what dentists recommend for maintaining a healthy mouth.
Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day
You should always aim to brush your teeth twice per day using a fluoride toothpaste. You can use a manual toothbrush or an electric one. Choose the one that’s easiest for you to use. There’s no reason why you can’t use a manual toothbrush if you’re able to clean your mouth with it effectively. Brushing your teeth helps to loosen bacterial and plaque, ensuring that it won’t build up and lead to decay.
Spend around two minutes cleaning your teeth, once before bed and once in the morning if you can. Make sure you get around all of your teeth and give them a good brush. This includes reaching the insides, outsides and all of the chewing surfaces.
Floss Between Your Teeth
Flossing is just as important as brushing. It will suffice to floss once per day, ideally before brushing your teeth. You can use floss tape, a harp or interdental brushes to reach in between your teeth. Flossing helps to dislodge food that’s trapped in places that your toothbrush can’t effectively clean.
Get Regular Checkups At The Dentists
Your dentist will tell you how often you should have a checkup, but you should be going at least once per year at minimum. Early detection of dental problems is key to preventative care. Avoiding seeing the dentists can result in issues developing into serious conditions that require much more invasive treatment. They’ll also suggest how often you should see the hygienist for a deeper clean.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Taking good care of your teeth is only one side of the equation. You also need to ensure your lifestyle and habits don’t contribute to a decline in your oral health. If you smoke, you will benefit from giving up. Not only will the health of your teeth and gums improve, but you could notice an improvement in the colour of your teeth.
Cutting down on sugar and alcohol will also help. Leave at least 30 minutes between finishing your food and brushing your teeth, as some foods can cause your enamel to soften. Brushing your teeth when they’re softer and weaker can result in the enamel wearing away over time.
Visit Our Professional Dentists
If it’s time for you to visit the dentist, get in touch with our team today. Our dentists provide excellent care and will give you advice to improve your oral hygiene.
