Did you know that more than 1 in 4 American adults have untreated dental health problems?
Are you one of them? Have you been letting your oral health fall onto the back burner?
Your oral health isn’t just about your teeth and gums. There is a larger connection between dental health and your overall health.
Here are ten tips for improving dental health to ensure you and your mouth are at your healthiest.
1. Brush Your Teeth at Least Twice a Day
Table of Contents
- 1. Brush Your Teeth at Least Twice a Day
- 2. Use Dental Floss Every Day
- 3. Don’t Forget About Your Tongue
- 4. Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks
- 5. Stay Hydrated
- 6. Brush Properly
- 7. Limit Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Caffeine
- 8. Eat a Diet Rich in Fruits and Vegetables
- 9. Follow Up on Tooth Pain
- 10. Visit Your Dentist For Regular Check-ups
- Taking Care of Your Dental Health Is Important For Your Overall Health
Most of us know that we’re supposed to brush our teeth twice a day, but it’s easy to neglect this daily task. It’s best to brush right after your meals.
It’s particularly important to brush your teeth before you go to bed. This is because while you sleep, the bacteria in your mouth will thrive from all the food particles leftover from a day’s eating. If you want to have optimum dental health, regular brushing is essential.
2. Use Dental Floss Every Day
Flossing your teeth should be seen as just as important a task as brushing. It isn’t something to do in particular cases when food gets noticeably stuck in your teeth. Instead, you should be flossing every day.
Daily flossing can reduce inflammation, reduce plaque, and stimulate your gums.
3. Don’t Forget About Your Tongue
Your tongue can be a spot where plaque and bacteria collect, too. You’ll want to either brush your tongue along with your teeth or use a tongue scraper.
Another benefit of cleaning your tongue is that it will help prevent bad breath.
4. Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks
If your diet contains a high amount of sugar, this could be leading to tooth decay. This is because the bacteria in your mouth consume sugar and produce acids that can damage and dissolve your teeth.
The acid produced by the bacteria wears away at the enamel on your teeth. This can lead to cavities and eventually expose the inner tooth layers, leaving you with increasingly painful and sensitive teeth.
If you have a sweet tooth or a habit of drinking soft drinks, you’ll want to limit this activity and only do it in moderation. You definitely don’t want to drink sugary drinks right before you go to sleep without brushing your teeth and rinsing out your mouth.
5. Stay Hydrated
We all need water to live, but it’s easy to not drink enough water throughout the day. The health benefits of staying hydrant are nearly endless, one of which is that it plays an essential role in keeping your teeth healthy and strong.
Staying hydrated can help neutralize the acids in your mouth that lead to tooth decay. It also helps get rid of dry mouth, which ensures that your salivary glands are fully functioning and able to combat tooth decay.
6. Brush Properly
It isn’t enough to just be brushing your teeth every morning and every night. You need to be brushing properly to be sure that you’re receiving the full dental health benefits of brushing.
Make sure to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or as soon as you notice the bristles are fraying.
When brushing, hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Use short strokes when brushing and only press gently. Don’t forget to brush the insides of your front teeth, which you can do by brushing vertically with short strokes.
7. Limit Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Caffeine
There are a lot of reasons to limit the consumption of these substances, and your mouth health is one of them.
Firstly, both alcohol and tobacco use can lead to oral cancer. For those who are heavy drinkers, they’re at an increased risk for tooth decay, periodontal disease, mouth sores, and tooth loss.
Coffee, along with alcohol and tobacco, can stain your teeth over time. If you’re drinking coffee filled with sugar, this can also lead to tooth decay. If you’re looking to both straighten your teeth and whiten your smile, check out these perfect smile veneers.
8. Eat a Diet Rich in Fruits and Vegetables
It’s not enough to just limit your sugar consumption. You also want to be eating a healthy, balanced diet to support your oral health.
Eating crunchy vegetables and fruits help to rub plaque off of your teeth while you’re chewing. You may also find that you have fresher breath when you’re eating fresh produce more regularly. Chewing on crunchy veggies and fruits can also help to stimulate the gums, helping your mouth produce more saliva.
9. Follow Up on Tooth Pain
If you have pain in your teeth or in your jaw, don’t ignore it. You’ll want to make an appointment for yourself right away. Oral pain can point to larger underlying problems, so you’ll want to make sure that you don’t have a more serious issue than you’re aware of.
10. Visit Your Dentist For Regular Check-ups
It’s recommended that you should visit your dentist at least twice a year. While this is no substitute for your daily, everyday oral health care, you’ll still want to check in with your dentist to ensure that all is well in terms of your dental health.
Some health insurance plans cover dentist visits, and some might even cover more frequent visits. It’s a good idea to look into the details of your policy and see which dental health services are covered. Taking advantage of the full extent of your health plan could ensure your health and wellness in the long-run.
To find the best dentist in your area, search online for “dentist near me.” Check out the reviews and see which dentist seems like the best fit for you.
You can also search for a bit more specific term such as “dental crowns naples” to narrow down your search.
Taking Care of Your Dental Health Is Important For Your Overall Health
Don’t neglect your oral health, as it will only be detrimental to your overall health. Following these tips will help keep your mouth clean, your breath fresh, and your smile beautiful!
Did you find this article on dental health useful? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog!
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