Dental hygiene is concerned with the methods of keeping the mouth clean, fresh-smelling, and disease-free, like cleaning the mouth daily to prevent dental diseases and bad breath.
No doubt, lack of dental hygiene is a major put-off in any person. So, how can you build and maintain proper oral hygiene? Here are 7 ways:
- Brush your teeth regularly
This is the most basic way of caring for your oral health. Oral healthcare professionals advise that brushing should be done for a minimum of two minutes, and at least twice a day. Also, practice interdental brushing — brushing between the teeth.
- Get a good toothbrush
Not only should you regularly brush your teeth, but you should also use the right tools for the process. That is why the American Dental Association (ADA) has recommended using toothbrushes that have soft bristles.
If they’re too hard, they could damage your gums or tongue. Also, ensure to change your toothbrush whenever you notice the endpoints are getting frayed. To be on the safer side, change your toothbrush every 3 months.
- Use fluoride toothpaste
Even if you brush your teeth regularly, you still stand a chance of developing tooth cavities if you don’t use kinds of toothpaste that contain fluoride. Fluoride toothpaste helps to combat plaques and cavities. If you’re not sure about the kinds of toothpaste to buy, reach out to the nearest dental clinic to you.
- Floss regularly
There’s only so much a toothbrush can do. Toothbrushes cannot reach deep into the teeth enough to remove all of the food debris and bacteria that might be hiding between your teeth. So, floss once a day. If you don’t have time for that, make sure you do it at least once a week.
- Visit the dentist from time to time
You don’t have to wait until you have issues with your dentition before you go to the dentist. Sometimes, you might not be aware of some dental issues until they rear their heads completely. So, visit the dentist at least once in 6 months.
The dentist would help you check for signs of any oral health issues like cavities, gum diseases, mouth cancer, et cetera. If you’re looking for a good dentist in your neighborhood, search “good dentist near me” on Google and choose the most convenient location.
- Quit smoking
Smokers are not only liable to die young; they’re also likely to have bad oral health. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has named smoking as one of the leading causes of gum diseases. Smoking lowers the body’s immune system’s natural ability to heal worn tissues, especially from the mouth. Smoking also leads to yellowing of the tongue and teeth as well as a bad odor.
- Invest in mouthwash
Various studies have shown that mouthwash has immense benefits for your teeth. More so, those that contain chlorhexidine, an antibacterial ingredient that helps prevent oral diseases like plague and gingivitis. Mouthwashes are great, but they should not substitute brushing and floss regularly.
Final words
Some other steps you should take to care for your oral health include drinking more water and limiting your intake of sugary foods.
Essentially, you should take your oral hygiene seriously to reduce your risk of getting oral diseases. Reach out to us here as soon as possible for consultation, advice, or to connect with good dentists.
