10 Dental Hygiene Tips For A Healthy Mouth

Brushing your teeth is a good start to keeping your mouth healthy, but there are other things you could be doing as well.

1. Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day For Two Minutes

Keeping your teeth healthy starts with regular maintenance. Brushing for two minutes twice a day will help to keep plaque at bay, reducing the risk of developing tooth decay and other diseases. If you have young children it would be a good idea to start this routine fairly early in their life. Find ways to make it fun such as playing a song or setting a timer for the two minutes.

To make it easier to clean every tooth, try to spend 30 seconds cleaning each quadrant or your mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left). Using the right techniques to brush your teeth will help to ensure you don’t damage the soft tissue around them. Use small, circular motions and angle the brush towards the gums. Make sure you brush all surfaces of your teeth and along the gum line.

2. Floss Daily

It is recommended to floss every night before brushing to remove any food that has become lodged between your teeth. This is a step that many patients admit to skipping, but it is a very important step in preventing gum disease. Don’t ignore the tight spaces, these are especially important as your toothbrush can’t reach here.

3. Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly

As a rule, you should be replacing your toothbrush every three months so that it can work effectively. Damaged toothbrushes won’t clean your teeth correctly and can cause damage to your gums. Remember to replace your toothbrush if you have been ill to prevent the bacteria from re-entering your mouth.

4. Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Your dentist will be able to notice any issues before you would and prevent them before they become serious. Regular visits allow your teeth to get a professional cleaning to remove any buildup of plaque and tartar, helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

5. Maintain A Healthy Diet

Avoiding foods high in sugar such as fizzy drinks, sweets, and chocolate will help to reduce your chances of tooth decay. Instead try to incorporate foods that are high in calcium such as yoghurt, milk and cheese to help strengthen your teeth. Ask your dentist for recommendations of food that will help keep your teeth strong and healthy.

6. Keep Hydrated Throughout The Day

Keeping hydrated is not only beneficial for your overall health, but it also helps to maintain a healthy saliva flow. Saliva washes away food particles in your mouth, preventing them from becoming lodged in your teeth where bacteria can grow.

7. Don’t Smoke

Smoking causes cosmetic issues such as tooth staining, but it also causes more serious health concerns including gum disease, oral cancer and other issues. The best thing you can do is to quit smoking immediately.

8. Use A Mouthwash

Mouthwash helps to freshen breath, reduce plaque and gingivitis, whitens teeth and soothes dry mouth. It also has antimicrobial benefits and additional fluoride. However, make sure you are using your mouthwash at a different time to brushing your teeth as it contains less fluoride and will be washing away the benefits that your toothpaste has provided.

9. Don’t Forget About Your Tongue

Food particles can build up on your tongue, along with plaque, which can lead to bad mouth odour and other health problems. Gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.

10. Try An Electric Toothbrush

When choosing a new toothbrush, you may want to consider an electric one. The bristle movements help to remove plaque more efficiently than a manual one.