April 12th, 2019 | Updated on April 8th, 2023
Healthy teeth aren’t just for chewing food. They offer a major boost to our appearance, the impressions we make, and our self-esteem. Above all that, though, is the need to protect our bodies and remain free of diseases.
Improved oral health can be achieved via these easy steps and practices:
1. Have A Clear Brushing Schedule
Your brushing regimen really is important for your overall dental health. Brushing clears away debris before it can harden into plaque.
To get the most out of brushing use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride replenishes the enamel that protects your teeth.
To keep brushing interesting, you can set up a brushing schedule. Your schedule should reward you while you do it. For example, if you have trouble remembering to brush at night, reward yourself with a nightly practice that you enjoy.
Be aware that brushing too hard doesn’t make up for not brushing in the past. Brushing your teeth too hard may lead to enamel loss and receding gums.
Also, don’t forget to brush your tongue, since the tongue offers another place for bacteria to grow.
2. Get Out Of The Bathroom When You Floss
Many consider flossing to be their least favorite chore when it comes to oral hygiene. In reality, flossing is a short exercise that packs a big benefit. It removes debris from areas of the mouth that bristles can’t reach.
One way to decrease the impact of this chore is to combine it with another part of your morning routine. Combining it with another routine, such as preparing the coffee pot, will make it easier to fit into your routine.
3. Keep A Travel Mouthwash With You
Mouthwash gives your mouth an extra boost of cleanliness. It’s also extremely portable since it doesn’t require the toolset of full brushing. Make sure to use an antibacterial mouthwash that will help to destroy the germs that lead to infections.
Use mouthwash to freshen your mouth on the go or when you have just eaten a particularly sugary meal.
4. Drink Citrusy Or Acidic Drinks From A Straw
Drinking from a straw limits the amount of time that acidic drinks linger on your teeth. Acid dissolves tooth enamel, which is a tooth’s first line of defense.
Drinks that are best served with a straw include:
- Lemonade or lemon water
- Sugary or sugar-free sodas
- Cocktails with high acid and sugar content
5. Chew Gum After Meals
Sugar-free gum offers a better benefit than just freshening your breath! It can actually help to strengthen your teeth. This is because it brings saliva into your mouth to coat your teeth. The saliva then washes away bacteria and neutralizes acid buildup from your meal.
6. Don’t Breathe Through Your Mouth
It’s been shown that breathing through your mouth can decrease saliva production and dry your mouth out. Saliva protects your teeth against decay by neutralizing the bacteria which cause it. This is something you will need to be especially careful of at night when you sleep, as many people sleep with their mouth open.
7. Drink Tap Water
Drinking water offers more long and short-term health benefits than we even know. For example, many areas throughout the U.S. add fluoride to the tap water. This helps to reduce tooth decay.
8. Consider Your Diet
Some foods promote cavities. Others, though, can help your teeth to heal.
The following foods which can help to boost your dental hygiene:
- Mineral-Rich Foods. Consume foods that contain calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. These will help the cells in your teeth to regenerate. To get a big helping of minerals, eat your vegetables, especially leafy greens.
- Fat-Soluble Vitamins. Healthy fats contain vitamins that improve dental health. Look for Vitamins A, E, K, and especially D. These are readily available in coconut oil, avocados, and olive oil.
Foods To Avoid:
- Foods High in Phytic Acid. Phytic acid makes the minerals that you consume unavailable to the teeth. They may also make your teeth weaker in the long run. Grains, beans, and seeds are all high in phytic acid. However, fermentation decreases the phytic acid in grains, allowing them to be more nutritional. Similarly, soaking and sprouting beans and seeds will decrease their phytic acid.
- Added and Processed Sugars. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth and dissolves tooth enamel. While natural sugars, such as those in fruit, are better than processed sugars, they still pose a risk.
9. Try Out Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is the process of swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes before spitting to out. The oil pulls the bacteria out of your mouth, which cleans and whitens teeth. To get started, try it for just 5 minutes, and increase your duration gradually.
10. Don’t Ignore The Aches And Pains In Your Mouth
Toothaches and pains can be intense, but they often pass. This intermittent intensity makes them easier to forget or ignore. However, these aches and pains could be a sign of bigger problems.
If you have a recurrent or particularly bad ache or pain, don’t ignore it. Instead, talk to a dentist.
Our smiles are one of the most noticeable and relatable parts of our outward appearance. On top of that, dental health impacts the way that we feel every day.
Caring for your dental hygiene requires a consistent concern for your teeth as you cultivate habit-forming practices. The more you do to strengthen your teeth, the easier they will be to maintain.
Health Disclaimer :
Information provided by Newszii.com does in no way substitute for qualified medical opinion. Any text, videos or any other material provided by us should be considered as generic information only. Any health related information may vary from person to person, hence we advice you to consult specialists for more information.
