5 Easy Ways to Take Better Care of Your Teeth

Oral hygiene is important, we all know this, but do you know the easiest ways to prevent cavities, plaque, gingivitis, and other unpleasant ailments that plague your dental health? Without even visiting your dentist, here are some simple things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

1. Use fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and makes it less susceptible to decay. You don’t want to take in too much, but having a fluoride toothpaste is an easy way to have a stronger, healthier mouth. Fluoride supports the mineralization of teeth, a process essential for keeping them hard and strong. You may want a certain flavor or brand, but no matter what you choose, you should make sure it contains fluoride. It is essential to your oral hygiene and a very simple way to upgrade your care routine. Since it is applied topically, the fluoride goes right to where we need it most!

2. Floss

You’ve heard it before, heck you’ve probably heard this a million times, and we’re going to say it again, “Flossing once a day is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.” Your toothbrush simply can’t reach all the areas of your mouth that store sugars, starches, and other potentially harmful food and drink bits. More than 500 bacterial species can be found in plaque! Flossing is one of your first lines of defense against plaque buildup around your teeth and gums, which contributes to disease, cavities and bad breath. Flossing also stimulates the gums, and helps lower gum inflammation. Flossing is nearly, if not just, as important as brushing since toothbrush bristles can’t get between the teeth where the floss can reach.

3. Don’t forget your tongue

Your tongue often goes overlooked when it comes to dental health, but can be a bacteria buildup location. This can lead to bad breath. Simply rinsing your mouth is not enough to remove all the bacteria that lives on your tongue. It’s a super simple addition to your routine that can save you from embarrassing odors. Just a light brushing during your regular brushing routine helps keep your mouth smelling fresh.

4. Avoid smoking and excessive drinking

Smoking causes more than just gum disease, bone loss and loose teeth, it puts you at risk for oral cancer and other serious diseases. Alcohol can increase the effects of smoking as well. Avoiding tobacco and alcohol use, or at the very least limiting it, can be a very effective way to keep up your oral hygiene as well as reduce your risk of cancer.

5. Eat a balanced diet

By eating a balanced diet and limiting your intake of sugars you will do lots of helpful things for your mouth! Proper nutrition keeps your gum tissues healthy and keeps your immune system ready to fight off any invaders. Limiting sugars and acids in your diet will reduce the amount of tooth decay. And when you do have a rare sugary treat, try rinsing with water afterwards to wash off the sugars and acids from your teeth.

There you have it 5 simple ways of keeping your mouth healthier that are so simple yet so effective. Just the implementation of one of these steps can improve your overall oral hygiene. We would suggest starting with fluoride toothpaste if you don’t already, then begin working flossing into your routine, but any of these tips will set you on a good path to oral health and wellness.

Stop by for more great dental health information from Compassionate Dentistry, and if you have any questions, feel free to call or set an appointment!