Oral hygiene is so underrated that it could be overlooked as a rigorous exercise that is avoidable. Unfortunately, failure to maintain proper oral hygiene has consequences on our health and social life. For instance, halitosis or unpleasant looking teeth is a turn off for most people whereas most people will admire, perhaps, complement someone with healthy teeth.
Besides that, bad oral hygiene has consequences on health, manifesting as gum and dental cavity diseases. If you want bright white teeth and fresh breath, you need to improve your oral health habits. Moreover, no matter how good yours are, there is room for improvement.
Here is a reminder of the basics of oral hygiene with some tips that will help:
Tips for Improving Your Daily Oral Health Routines
Use A Good Toothbrush and A Fluoride Toothpaste
It is healthy and safer to use toothbrushes that are not tough on your gums. You can get a recommendation from your dentist about what brushes are ideal for your teeth. The general idea is to abstain from use brushes with bristles that are too hard on your gums and can cause bleeding or injury.
Plaque is loose, and a soft toothbrush will suffice in brushing. Also, while you examine the whitening abilities of a toothpaste, check for fluoride too! Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay, so it is a non-negotiable element for a good toothpaste.
Cleansing Your Mouth Properly
Oral hygiene begins with proper care and cleaning of the mouth. To clean your mouth, hold your toothbrush at an angle where the bristles can work between your teeth and gums in short strokes. Do not forget the insides of your teeth, especially the molars and premolars. Be as gentle on your gums as you can to prevent bleeding.
You should also do a quick scrape on your tongue. Cleaning your tongue as well helps to get rid of bacteria that sometimes cause bad breath. Additionally, it is advised that you brush your teeth for two minutes and be sure to rinse out your brush thoroughly. Using a mouthwash also boosts oral health. However, this should be done alongside proper brushing and not exclusively.
Brush Your Teeth Before Bed
If you are one of those who neglect the standard practice of brushing your teeth twice a day, you have to make a change. Brushing at night clears out the germs and plaque gathered during the day and makes you go to bed with fresh breath!
Make Sure to Floss
Yes! You should floss. Flossing requires some patience. It can be such a task, but the benefits are well worth the hassle. If you feel pain when you floss, it is most likely because you are not doing it right.
Rub the floss around your teeth in a ‘C’ motion— this wraps the floss around it and clears out the particles embedded in the teeth.
Change Your Toothbrush Regularly
Changing your toothbrush regularly improves your daily oral health. The older a toothbrush is, the more bacteria breeds on its bristles. Besides, toothbrushes lose their firmness after a while. Hence, replace your toothbrush once in three to four months for good hygiene.
Schedule a Visit with Dr. Emma Wu today.
These oral health routines should not substitute routine checks with your dental health practitioner. Remember to set up regular visits to your dentist and report abnormalities such as painful gums, bleeding, or discoloration. Lastly, never take your oral health for granted. If you are looking to improve the appearance of your smile or need an expert dental professional to perform a procedure, contact Dr. Emma Wu & Associates today.