At Marine Way Dental Centre, we understand that taking care of your teeth and gums is crucial for your overall health. Our team of dentists has compiled a list of the top 10 tips to help you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.
10 Tips for Healthy Teeth & Gums
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy goes beyond just brushing and flossing regularly. While these are important parts of a good dental routine, there are other things you can do to maintain a healthy mouth and promote your overall well-being.
1. Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day for Two Minutes Each Time
Keeping your teeth in good shape starts with taking care of them regularly. One way to do this is by brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, which can help prevent plaque build-up. Parents should encourage their kids to adopt this habit early on, and make it enjoyable for them.
For effective cleaning, spend 30 seconds on each part of your mouth, using circular motions to reach all surfaces of your teeth and gums. Make sure to clean both the front and back of your teeth, as well as along the gum line. Some people prefer using an electric toothbrush to make brushing easier.
2. Floss Daily
To keep your teeth healthy and avoid decay, it's important to floss every night before brushing. This removes any leftover food or other debris that your toothbrush can't get rid of. Skipping flossing can lead to decay, so take the time to floss for two minutes each day. At first, your gums may be sensitive, but this is normal and should go away after a few days. Make sure to floss every tooth, including tight spaces that your toothbrush can't reach.
3. Replace Your Toothbrush Once It Starts to Wear
It's important to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 6 months because toothbrushes with damage or fraying won't clean your teeth properly and can harm your gums. Changing your toothbrush regularly also helps you maintain good oral hygiene. To keep your toothbrush clean, always rinse it well and store it so it can dry. If you've been sick, remember to get a new toothbrush to avoid reintroducing bacteria into your mouth.
4. Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
Seeing your dentist regularly is important for maintaining good oral health. By going for check-ups, your dentist can identify and prevent any potential dental issues before they become bigger problems. In addition to this, regular appointments allow your teeth to receive a deep cleaning twice a year, which removes any plaque or tartar buildup and helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
5. Maintain a Healthy Diet
To promote strong and healthy teeth, it's best to avoid sugary foods like soda, sports drinks, and candy. Instead, you can opt for foods that are high in calcium and can benefit your overall health as well. Examples of foods that can strengthen your teeth are leafy greens, almonds, yogurt, and cheese. If you're unsure which foods to incorporate into your diet, consulting with your dentist is a great way to get personalized recommendations for maintaining strong teeth for the long haul.
6. Use Dental Hygiene Products
Keeping your teeth healthy and preventing dental problems requires regular brushing and flossing. But if you want to go the extra mile and keep your teeth in top shape, you can also use other products like mouthwash, oral irrigators, interdental cleaners, and tongue cleaners. These products can help you maintain good oral health and should be used alongside your regular brushing and flossing routine.
7. Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water not only benefits your general health but also helps keep your mouth healthy by maintaining a good flow of saliva. Saliva is essential for good dental health because it helps to move food particles around in your mouth, preventing them from getting stuck between your teeth where bacteria can develop. In addition, saliva also helps to keep your mouth moist and comfortable.
8. Don't Smoke
Smoking is bad for your oral health in many ways. It can cause minor problems like yellow teeth, but also more serious issues such as gum disease, which could result in tooth loss or even oral cancer. If you want to keep your mouth healthy and avoid other health problems, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do.
9. Consider Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are protective coatings that fill the grooves and depressions on your back teeth, making them less likely to develop cavities or accumulate plaque. Children and teenagers are good candidates for sealants because they tend to have a higher risk of cavities due to less thorough brushing habits.
10. Regularly Examine the Inside of Your Mouth
Going to the dentist regularly is good for preventing problems, but sometimes issues can still happen before your next appointment. To avoid bigger problems, you should take a quick look inside your mouth every day and see if anything seems different.
If you notice anything strange, tell your dentist when you see them next or give them a call if you're worried. Checking your mouth yourself can help you stay healthy.