Is oral health one of the things that falls at the bottom of your to-do list? It’s easy to let things slide, but it’s important to know that there are real consequences when you neglect your oral health.
Not only does your self-esteem suffer, but your physical health gets put into jeopardy when you avoid cleaning your teeth. Gum disease can worsen and contribute to heart disease in extreme cases, and lighter oral issues might require surgery.
In any case, it’s important to stay on top of your oral health. We’re going to give you some oral health tips to use so your Georgetown dentist is impressed the next time you visit.
Hopefully, the ideas below can help you kickstart your dental health.
1. Understand The Basics
If we understand why we’re doing particular tasks, we’re more likely to follow through day after day.
When it comes to cleaning our teeth, the name of the game is attacking plaque. Visible plaque forms as the result of bacteria coming together to form colonies. When those colonies take hold and solidify their places, they form what’s known as “tartar.”
Tartar is the dark, hardened plaque that stains our teeth. It multiplies, leading its way into our gums and teeth crevices to produce gum disease and erosion. Brushing, flossing, and general care are all efforts to kill plaque before it leads to bigger issues.
2. Get The Right Toothbrush
Is your old toothbrush extremely stiff? It might feel like it’s getting the job done, but an old and hardened toothbrush doesn’t have the sensitivity that new ones do.
Make sure you’re replacing your toothbrush every few months. Further, look around to find brushes that suit you. There are brushes for sensitive gums, ones with tongue-scrapers, and other features that might help you keep clean.
3. Brush Morning and Night
This should go without saying, but it’s important to brush each night and every day. It’s easy to let a day or two go by without brushing, but it’s enough time for plaque to start taking hold.
Even if you have a decent excuse not to brush your teeth, it’s always a good idea to push yourself and get to the bathroom to brush. If you’re so inclined, it doesn’t hurt to brush in the middle of the day after you eat lunch.
4. Start Flossing Again
If you’re not flossing, it’s time to start. Many people avoid flossing for one reason or another, but it’s probably the most important aspect of your oral hygiene routine.
Floss addresses the plaque in between your teeth. These tend to be the bacteria that harden and work their way into your gums. If you’re not flossing, those bacteria have all of the time they need to cause an infection.
5. Use Mouthwash At Night
Mouthwash is a great way to rinse your teeth, tongue, and gums with a protective coating. It’s especially important to use mouthwash in the evening before you go to bed.
The coating fights the development of bacteria, and the nighttime is when your mouth is least-disturbed. Undisturbed time makes it easy for bacteria to spread. So, use some mouthwash before you hit the sack and try not to rinse it out with water.
It’s not as important to use mouthwash in the morning. It can make your teeth more sensitive, and odds are you’ll rinse it out a short time after you put it in.
6. Stop Chewing On Non-Foods
It might be a nervous habit, and you’ve got every right to express those habits, but know chewing on your pencil might be hurting your teeth.
If you’re going to chew on something, make sure it’s soft. This might not be a message for everyone reading the article, but the gnawers out there need to take note. Chewing consistently on hard objects can weaken your teeth and wear down their edges.
7. Eat Nourishing Foods
There are numerous foods that help your teeth flourish. Leafy vegetables packed with Vitamin C are good for your teeth and body. The same goes for foods with vitamin B12.
Calcium is also an essential nutrient because it helps to sustain and remineralize your teeth.
8. Avoid Sugary Foods
Sugar is another issue we’ve heard about our whole lives but tend to ignore. The bacteria in our mouths feed on sugar. They break sugar down and produce more plaque.
Further, those chemical byproducts change the pH levels in our mouths, making it harder for saliva to fight bad bacteria.
9. See Your Georgetown Dentist
Make sure you’re visiting your local dentist at the established intervals. A couple of general cleaning sessions per year is all most people need.
Checkups are a chance for your dentist to take a look at your teeth and gums to see if there are any serious issues.
10. Address Emergencies
A lot of emergencies in oral health don’t feel like emergencies while they’re happening. For example, the onset of your wisdom teeth can lead to serious issues later on. That’s an emergency to take care of.
The same is true for serious gingivitis. If you’ve got gingivitis that requires surgery or dental intervention, make sure you get it done as soon as possible.
11. Stay Consistent
Set goals for yourself and keep track of them. We’re all capable of staying true to our oral health routines, although many people start slacking after a couple of weeks.
Make sure you’re doing your best to brush, floss, and use mouthwash every day. If you can you’ll ward off the most significant dental issues.
12. Quit Smoking
Smoking stains your teeth and helps bacteria thrive. There are thousands of reasons to quit smoking, but your oral health is one of the only visible side effects of cigarette use.
If you want to see your teeth brighten in a short amount of time, quit smoking.
Want to Learn More About Oral Health?
Hopefully, you’re feeling equipped with the oral health tips you need to enter the new year. There’s a lot more to learn about staying clean and healthy, though. We’re here to help.