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5 Oral Hygiene Tips for Healthy Teeth

Taking care of your teeth not only makes sure that you have a nice smile, it can take care of other areas of your health. Poor oral hygiene is linked to a number of problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and can even lead to complications in pregnancy. This is why looking after your teeth is important for a number of different reasons, and not just for keeping your teeth healthy and clean. Bad oral hygiene can also lead to tooth loss which can make it difficult to eat a healthy diet and lead to even more problems. Follow these five steps for keeping your teeth in the best condition.
 

Brush

At least twice a day, you should brush your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste which contains fluoride. You should brush your teeth around 30-44 minutes after you’ve eaten or drank, so that the acids in your mouth have time to drop back to normal levels. The best times to brush are after breakfast and at the end of the day.

Floss

Flossing your teeth is important for cleaning the tight spaces between your teeth that a brush can’t get to, and should be done once a day. You should floss your teeth before you brush them, as this way the fluoride in your toothpaste will be able to coat more of the surface of each tooth. Dental practices such as Bakersfield Family Dentist recommend that you set aside a time of the day to floss when you’re not in a rush, so you can carefully clean each tooth.

Rinse

You should ask your dentist about the kind of mouthwash to use, and how frequently. Certain mouthwashes are used for different purposes, such as killing bacteria, containing fluoride or both. Dentists such as Dr. Scott Wallace DDS – Family Dentistry recommend not eating or drinking for thirty minutes after rinsing with mouthwash.

Chewing Gum

Chewing gum which is sugar free and sweetened with xylitol will help to kill the bacteria that causes cavities. Chew a piece of this gum after every time that you eat in order to also help bring down acid levels in your mouth and keep your teeth healthy. The best length of time to chew gum for is around twenty minutes after you’ve eaten. Gum can be bought in most grocery stores, and you can ask your dentist to recommend the best brand for healthy teeth.

Regular Rinsing

As well as rinsing with mouthwash, it’s essential to regularly rinse your mouth with water as well. This should be done after eating, especially if you don’t have a toothbrush with you or a piece of gum to chew. Rinsing your mouth with water will loosen the food particles from around your teeth and also reduce the acids in your mouth, keeping your teeth healthy and strong.

How do you keep your teeth strong, healthy and white? If you’d like to share your oral hygiene routine with us and how it works for you, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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Bo Farewell

Wednesday 25th of November 2015

I wish I knew this BEFORE I got almost all of my teeth rotten. :(

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