There are various things that you may be doing — or not doing — that could have a direct impact on your oral health.
Your oral health goes hand in hand with your hygiene and, if not maintained, can have varying negative, long-lasting implications on your health.
It’s essential to maintain good oral health habits. We all have bad habits, but it’s vital to take care of your overall mental and physical health — and your oral health can have a direct impact on both.
These oral health habits will keep you both healthy and smiling.
Regular Dentist Visits
Regular dentist visits are an obligation to your health, and a person should be going to the dentist at least twice a year (every six months) for a checkup.
Most adults are busy with varying familial, professional, and social commitments, but health is something you need to make time for regardless of your schedule.
Whether you visit a dental office in Miami or a Boynton Beach dental clinic, making an appointment with your dentist should take you mere minutes.
After all, modern clinics will typically allow you to book your appointment online, so you won’t even need to pick up the phone.
When you go without regular dental checkups, various problems can go unnoticed and take a toll on your overall physical health. According to the World Health Organization, oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people.
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Gentle & Regular Teeth Brushing
Most people know that you should be brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. What people may not know, however, is that there is a wrong way to brush your teeth.
A common mistake people make is scrubbing their teeth too hard and rushing the process. Make it a habit to brush your teeth thoroughly — but gently — to avoid damaging the enamel.
According to WebMD, some of the most common mistakes people make when brushing their teeth include:
- Using the wrong brush (bristles that are too stiff or too soft)
- Using the same toothbrush for too long
- Brushing back and forth instead of up and down from the gum
- Forgetting to brush the gum line
Flossing
According to the American Dental Organization, you should be flossing at least once a day.
That said, certain foods will always require flossing after consumption to prevent build up. You will want to floss after eating popcorn, candies, and other foods that will get stuck in between your teeth.
Flossing is an essential part of oral health as the floss is more likely to reach the areas between your teeth than a toothbrush.
Floss removes any food that is stuck between your teeth or under your gum line. When you don’t remove any food stuck between your teeth after eating, the food’s bacteria can decay your teeth over time and lead to more severe problems.
Invest in a Mouthwash & Use it Regularly
In addition to freshening your breath, mouthwashes help remove any food particles that are left behind or loosened after brushing or flossing your teeth.
If you think this sounds gross, consider the implications of letting food particles remain in your mouth to breed bacteria.
This is far more detrimental to your health and, in some cases, can result in varying oral conditions.
Pick a “Bad Habit” to Rectify
Your unhealthy habits can directly impact your oral health. The implications of these bad habits vary in severity, but they all negatively affect your oral health in some way:
- Smoking
- Excessive consumption of sugary drinks and foods
- Cheek biting
- Not flossing
It is unrealistic to quit all your bad habits all at once, so start small.
Commit to rectifying one bad habit at a time so that slowly, but surely, you can start making some critical life changes to adopt better practices and maintain your oral hygiene.