Checklist For Good Oral Health
December 4, 2018The average individual believes that the best way to keep up with a good oral hygiene is to brush or floss twice daily. There is no doubt that flossing and brushing is a good idea but they are other few things you can do differently. There is a popular saying that your mouth is the window into the health of your entire body. Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but without proper care, you can develop oral issues over time. We have created this oral hygiene check-list for you to consider when caring for your oral health at home:
#1 Don’t neglect your tongue
As hard as it may be to believe, some people actually don’t brush their tongue. Even when they do, it is not cleaned properly. Are you aware that plaque can also build up on your tongue? This can cause a bad odor to permeate from the mouth and can effect your overall oral health as a result.
#2 Buy toothpaste that contains fluoride
Buying toothpaste with fluoride can promote good oral health. Rather than purchasinga toothpaste primarily for its whitening abilities, be sure that it contains the right amount of fluoride. Fluoride is an important factor in ensuring healthy teeth. It helps to prevent tooth decay and also fights the spread of bacteria.
#3 Flossing and brushing
People often neglect flossing and the importance of cleaning between the tight crevaces between your teeth. Flossing should not only be done when a big piece of food is stuck between your teeth. More often than not, you have small food particles stuck between your teeth and do not realize it. Flossing helps ensure those particles are flushed away and unable to cause harm to the teeth. It also helps to stimulate your gums and reduce inflammation. It is advised to floss at least once daily.
#4 Drink more water
Drinking water regularly improves your oral health as well as overall health. Drinking water after you eat helps wash away remaining food particles that reside between your teeth. This is especially the case when you eat sticky or acidic food.
#5 Eat more vegetables
This sounds like something you would hear from your parents growing up. Your parents weren’t wrong. Vegetables contain fiber and other minerals that are good for your teeth.
#6 Stay away from acidic food
Are you aware that sugar turns into acid in the mouth? This can completely erode the enamel if it is consumed on a frequent basis. Regular intake of sugary foodscan lead to the development of cavities. You don’t have to completely avoid these foods but you should reduce your intake.
#7 Brush properly
Brushing your mouth is not all about moving the toothbrush up and down. Your pattern of brushing will also increase or reduce your chances of developing tooth decay or other oral health issues. Your Longmont dentist can instruct you on the exact angle you should be holding your brush for hard to reach spots. You should brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes in order to thoroughly clean your mouth.
#8 Mouthwash
Mouthwash helps in three different ways. Firstly, it decreases the amount of acid in your mouth. It contains fluoride which can reduce the risk of cavity and strengthen the teeth. Secondly, for children and older people who can’t brush or floss properly, mouthwash is very important. You can visit a Longmont dental clinic to get specific mouthwash recommendations. There are certain products for children and adults, so find out the best one for you.
Author –
Chirag Patel is a writer and particularly enjoys health-related and wellness subjects to help provide clarity as well as educate readers on the subject matter. Some of the dental-related treatments he writes in-depth on are Invisalign, teeth whitening, dental implants, and dentist in longmont. He also enjoys reading, traveling, and playing football in his spare time.