Oral Hygiene Tips are for everyone, including adults, and if you would like a clean bill of oral health the next time you are in the dentist’s chair, you may want to consider some of these oral hygiene tips.
Brushing
Keep your teeth clean by brushing twice each day with a soft bristled toothbrush at a 45-degree angle near your gum line. Both the surface of your teeth and the gum line should connect with the bristles on your toothbrush. Go back and forth, up, down, and make sure you use a soft touch to avoid bleeding. Clean the insides of your teeth and gums and don’t forget to brush the roof of the mouth and your tongue to get rid of odor causing bacteria.
It’s all about the Floss
Flossing is just as important as brushing as it removes the particles of food between your teeth that brushing just can’t budge. Floss once every day, or more often if you notice anything stuck between your teeth.
Tobacco
If you chew or smoke tobacco, your teeth and gums are paying the price. Not only will tobacco stain your teeth, but it can also cause gum recession, not to mention the oral cancer risks.
Coffee Alcohol and Soda
All contain phosphorous, which is necessary for a healthy mouth, but too much of a good thing can deplete your body’s calcium levels. Not enough calcium can cause the enamel on your teeth to weaken making you more susceptible to tooth decay.
Watch what you eat
Eat calcium rich foods such as dairy products and fortified orange juice. Broccoli, cheese, and yogurt are great foods that can help your calcium intake. Vitamin B complex, copper, zinc, iron, iodine, and potassium are also good for oral hygiene.
See your Dentist
One of the best oral hygiene tips is to visit your dentist every six months or more so if you are susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease. During your checkups, make sure that your dentist gives you a comprehensive dental exam that includes an oral cancer screening.
Mouthwash
Mouth rinses have changed over the years and these days can protect you against gum disease, whiten your teeth, and help prevent cavities. Mouthwashes that contain Listerine or chlorine dioxide kill the left over bacteria and can help your breath stay fresh. Although it cannot do the work alone, a good mouthwash that is recommended by the American Dental Association is the perfect companion to brushing and flossing.
Dental Symptoms
If you have a toothache, jaw pain or any other dental issue, it is imperative that you contact your dentist immediately. You may not think that cracked tooth is a big issue because it doesn’t hurt, but your dentist will think differently.
Keeping your oral hygiene in check is important, and if you would like more oral hygiene tips, or can’t remember the last time you saw your dentist, call, or click and schedule an appointment today.