When it comes to the best oral health, there are a number of myths and tales that people abide by which could potentially be doing more harm than good. Keeping your teeth clean leads to fewer complications and the prevention of tooth decay, but what is the best way to do it? Here’s 5 squeaky clean things to think about the next time you brush your teeth…
1. Use Fluoride Toothpaste and Mouthwash
Fluoride is found in mouthwash and toothpaste and it’s used to protect your teeth against decay. You can also get a highly concentrated fluoride product from dentists in the form of gels or rinses. Fluoride products are also beneficial for children’s teeth and can help strengthen those teeth that are emerging.
Don’t think of cleaning your teeth as a chore – this is an essential part of your oral hygiene and spending time brushing will ensure problems are prevented. It’s important to brush at least twice a day, and make sure you don’t forget to clean your tongue in order to freshen breath.
Removing food from gaps in between your teeth using a toothpick can become harmful to your gums and potentially cause infection. In order to avoid this, use a fluoride based floss daily which will remove plaque caused by food. Eliminating as much plaque as possible will reduce the build-up of bacteria between the teeth and therefore prevent future cases of decay.
Your food and drink consumption play a massive part in your oral health, so make sure you take a step back and review whether you have a balanced diet. Sugary food and drinks can slowly destroy the strength of your teeth so it’s advised to reduce the amount you consume on a daily basis. Exchange sweets for greens and try swapping the two sugars you have in your brew for a sweetener or better still why not have it unsweetened.
Don’t leave it too late – dental professionals recommend you pay your dentist a visit annually or in some cases twice a year to ensure that any potential problems are picked up on sooner rather than later. It’s also an opportunity to have any hygienist treatment performed so your teeth remain as healthy as possible.
By maintaining good quality oral hygiene you will reduce the risk of potential problems in the future. For more information on dental health, check out our advice section here.