Good oral hygiene is a habit that’s often overlooked, but it shouldn’t be the case. Maintaining good oral health and hygiene doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive, and it has many benefits for your mouth and overall well-being. To keep your mouth healthy, the team at Tulsa Precision Dental has put together a complete guide to routine oral hygiene.
Our Complete Guide To Routine Oral Health and Hygiene
Taking care of your teeth and gums twice daily can take as little as ten minutes and enhance your overall health. The same applies to children, as teaching them healthy habits while young can help them put their oral health first and give them a great smile throughout their life. There are many excellent reasons you should care about your oral health, including:
- Your teeth are vital for breaking down foods that help you gain the nutrition to keep you strong and healthy.
- Your gums help support your teeth and are intricately correlated to the rest of your body.
- Your smile can significantly impact your self-esteem, a vital part of maintaining your mental health.
Many medical conditions can exist between your overall health and your oral health. As bacteria and inflammation can affect your gums and teeth, these factors are heavily correlated with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDs, and pneumonia. Women with high-risk pregnancies often have a greater risk of gum disease, and people with diabetes have a higher risk of infections. Oral health can affect you in more ways than you’d expect, and because our bodies are intricately connected working systems, taking care of your oral health can help avoid complications later on in life.
By following these steps, you will be on your way toward good oral health, which can help protect you against disease, infection, and other problems later in life.
How To Brush Your Teeth
When brushing your teeth, having a proper brushing habit helps improve your oral health and preserve your teeth and gums in the future. When brushing your teeth, follow these tips to get every nook and cranny of your mouth to receive a healthier smile:
- Angle your brush at 45 degrees and brush up and down gently, circularly. Ensure not to brush too hard, as that can hurt the gums.
- Clean the surface of every tooth, including the chewing surface, the sides of the cheeks, and the tongue.
- Be thorough with your cleaning, as that can help make sure to get as much plaque off your teeth as possible.
- Pick a soft brush to avoid gum damage, and make sure to replace your toothbrush every three months.
Should You Floss? The Answer is Yes!
Flossing is often the most neglected aspect of good hygiene, but getting in between the teeth can remove about 40% of bacteria and plaque from your mouth. Every surface, not flossed, increases the risk of gum disease and cavities. Make sure to floss once a day by wrapping each end of the floss around your fingers and gently working in between the teeth to remove that bacteria and plaque to keep your teeth clean.
Make Sure to Clean Your Tongue
The second most neglected area of your mouth is the tongue. Your tongue can easily gather up bacteria, which is often one of the biggest causes of bad breath. To maintain your mouth and keep bad breath away, brush your tongue in circular motions without triggering your gag reflex, or use a tongue scraper to clean bacteria off the mouth.
Try Using Mouthwash In Your Routine
While mouthwash isn’t essential for good oral health, it can help kill any leftover bacteria and plaque after a good brushing session. Make sure to choose a mouthwash with an ADA seal of acceptance on it, and rinse your mouth with a small amount for about 30 to 40 seconds, spitting it out afterward.
Get Regular Checkups at Your Dentist
Regular checkups with your dentist are an absolute must, as your dentist can keep track of your oral health and ensure you are brushing your teeth correctly. Scheduling a teeth cleaning can help remove areas of plaque and bacteria that you cannot reach and help prevent the onset of cavities and gum disease in the future.
Most Importantly, Eat Well
What better way to care for your teeth than with food? Eating healthy fruits and vegetables can give your body the nutrition it needs to maintain your muscles, nerves, tissues, and bones, including the ones in your mouth. By avoiding sugary, processed foods in favor of carrots and broccoli, you’ll be able to get the vitamins and minerals needed to help keep your oral health in great shape.
Drink At Least 6 to 8 Cups of Water a Day
Drinking water and staying hydrated throughout the day is considered one of the best oral health solutions against bacteria and plaque. Drinking water helps stimulate the saliva glands throughout your mouth, and saliva helps remove bacteria from your teeth and gums.
Visit Tulsa Precision Dental For More Health Tips and Good Oral Hygiene
At Tulsa Precision Dental, we work to provide dental services in Tulsa, OK, to give them the best care possible. Through the care of Dr. Chris and Kristie Vinson, our team can provide comprehensive dental care services that give you a healthier smile in return. To learn more about our services and oral health tips, schedule an appointment with our practice by calling (918) 492-1917 today.
