10 Tips For Healthy Teeth

Good oral hygiene is crucial for overall health; having healthy teeth and gums make it easier for you to eat well and enjoy a balanced diet. However, we know that sometimes just daily brushing and flossing can feel a little monotonous.

Which is why we have compiled a list of tips to ensure you’re keeping your teeth healthy if you’ve missed your dental appointment or are merely looking for more ways to improve your oral hygiene at home.

Why is it important to look after your teeth?

It’s essential that you keep up a good routine at home to keep your teeth and gums healthy. When we don’t look after our teeth, we can have painful, and sometimes costly side effects – for example; gum disease, tooth decay or even tooth loss. Tooth decay is painful and can lead to fillings, crowns or implants. If it’s left untreated, the tooth’s nerve can become infected and rot away, which would cause an abscess. Gum disease is another common side effect of bad oral hygiene. If gum disease is left untreated, it can cause bone loss around the teeth or tooth loss. Most of these diseases are entirely preventable and can be kept under control with regular cleaning sessions and checkups with your dentist.

10 tips for healthy teeth

1. Brush regularly

Most people are aware that brushing their teeth twice a day is one of the most critical practices for removing plaque and bacteria and keeping teeth clean. However, brushing may only be effective if people use the correct technique.

People should brush using small circular motions, taking care to brush the front, back, and top of every tooth. This process takes between 2 and 3 minutes. People should avoid sawing back-and-forth motions.

2. Use a mouthwash

People may wish to ask their dentist, which is the best mouthwash for their individual needs. Mouthwash cannot substitute brushing and flossing, but it can complement these practices.

3. See your dentist regularly

Experts recommend that people see a dentist every six months for a checkup. During a routine dental examination, a hygienist will clean the teeth and remove plaque and hardened tartar.

Our top dentists at Swedish Dental will check for visual signs of cavities, gum disease, mouth cancer, and other oral health issues. We recommend that children and adolescents visit the dentist every 6 months to help prevent cavities. However, adults who practice good dental hygiene every day and have a lower risk of oral health problems and so may be able to go less frequently.

4. Floss once a day

Flossing is a great way to access hard-to-reach areas where plaque and bacteria may build up between your teeth. It can also help prevent bad breath by removing debris and food that’s trapped between the teeth. Most dental health professionals recommend gently pushing the floss all the way down to the gumline before hugging the side of the tooth with up-and-down motions. It is essential to avoid snapping the floss up and down between the teeth, which can cause pain and will not remove plaque as effectively.

5. Use fluoride

Fluoride comes from an element in the earth’s soil called fluorine. Many experts believe that fluoride helps prevent cavities, and it is a common ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash. However, some dental products do not contain fluoride, and some do not use it. Evidence suggests that a lack of fluoride can lead to tooth decay, even if they otherwise take care of their teeth. A recent review found that brushing and flossing do not prevent a person from getting cavities if they do not fluoride.

6. Do not smoke

Smoking also affects the mouth’s appearance, leading to yellowing of the teeth and tongue, and it can give breath a foul odour.

7. Stay away from sugary drinks and foods

Consuming sugar can lead to cavities. Sugar plays a huge part in adverse dental health outcomes. Common culprits include candy and desserts, but many processed foods also contain added sugar.

8. Use disclosing tablets before brushing

To find out how well you’re brushing, use a disclosing tablet. You can buy them at most pharmacies, and they’re instrumental because they stain all your plaque red. This way, you can see the parts of your teeth that you need to brush more.

9. Brush your tongue

Plaque can also build up on your tongue. Not only can this lead to foul mouth odour, but it can lead to other oral health problems. Gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.

10. Drink more water

Our bodies are made of 60% water, and staying hydrated helps your system distribute healthy nutrients, gets rid of waste, gives your skin a healthy glow and keeps your muscles moving. Sipping water is also one of the best things you can do for your teeth – especially if it’s fluoridated.

Conclusion

Practising good dental care from infancy to adulthood can help a person keep their teeth and gums healthy. Brushing and flossing daily, not smoking, eating a healthful diet, and having regular dental checkups can help avoid cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. It may also benefit their overall health.

At Swedish Dental, we always strive to offer treatments that both parties are satisfied with. Our Swedish Dental employees have high requirements for their education and are committed to furthering their education. Our staff are highly competent and committed to answering your questions. Get in touch with us today!