Having a great smile is not always genetic. If you are not blessed with a natural beautiful smile, then there are many ways to obtain the perfect set of teeth. All you have to do is follow a few simple tips and maintain your oral hygiene.
Poor oral hygiene can be the root of many dental disease and problems, which can act as precursor to much more serious diseases such as bone loss, infection, strokes and heart diseases and gum diseases.
Here are some valuable dental hygiene tips that will help you avoid any dental infection or gum problems.
1) One of the best ways to help your teeth is to keep them clean, which can be easily done by brushing your teeth regularly at least two times a day, once after you wake up and once before going to sleep.
2) The next thing that you must pay attention to is brushing your teeth properly. Keep the bristles of your brush at a 45-degree angle and ensure that both your teeth and your gum line is in contact with your brush bristles. Brush the outer surface by moving the brush back and forth or up and down. Do so gently to avoid any gum bleeding or brushing. When you are cleaning the insides of your teeth, repeat the same process and motions.
3) DON’T forget to clean and brush your tongue, which can contain a lot of bacteria and is one of the primary reasons for bad breath.
4) To prevent bad breath and to maintain healthy teeth, rinse your mouth every time you eat something. This will help breakdown any bacteria buildup and will assist in eliminating any food particles that can act as a substrate for bacteria.
5) Another thing that you must do everyday is floss your teeth. We know that it is time consuming and sometimes you can forget to do it. It’s easy to forget this chore because after brushing your teeth all you want to do is crawl under covers and put out the lights. However, flossing can remove any food particles that can be left behind even after a rigorous round of brushing. Flossing enables you to reach deep down between your teeth, where normally a brush or its bristles cannot reach.
6) Avoid tobaccos, as this will be a huge favor to the health and color of your teeth. It will also save you from periodontal complications and oral cancer. Another advantage of quitting smoking is the avoidance of the carcinogenic compounds that smell bad. Generally, to mask the smell of smoking you eat a candy or gum, which doubles the extent of damage caused.
7) Limit your soda, alcohol and coffee intake. All of these compounds contain phosphorus in large quantities. Although phosphorus is necessary for a healthy body, too much of it can deplete your body’s natural calcium levels. This can compromise your dental hygiene and health, and cause tooth decay and gum diseases. Beverages that contain corn syrup and additives or food dye should also be avoided as they can make your pearly white teeth look discolored, lackluster and dull. Choose beverages that are fresh and contain no chemicals or choose milk-based drinks that can help strengthen your enamel and teeth.
8) Track your calcium intake and replenish your body with all the necessary macro and micronutrients. But most importantly, eat and drink calcium-rich food to maintain healthy teeth and bones. Drink orange juice, milk and eat broccoli, cheese and other dairy products. Take calcium supplements if you are unable to consume the prescribed amount of calcium in a day. Also, maintain a healthy intake of Vitamin B complex and Vitamin D, which are both essential for healthy teeth and gums.
9) Visit your dentist. This is a no-brainer. You must visit your dentist at least twice a year to have him perform a complete dental hygiene treatment and observation. Generally, dentists take teeth x-rays on such visits to identify any future dental problems from happening.
10) Use a mouthwash in addition to brushing and flossing. Most mouthwashes contain chlorine monoxide, which can help kill bacteria or any signs of infection. It can also be instrumental in maintaining fresh breath and strong teeth. Although it won’t do you much good on its own, if you are already brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly, then it would act as a cherry on top and provide you with added benefits for achieving great dental health.
More information on oral hygience can be found here.