4 Habits for Healthy Teeth and Gums
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums takes regular care. Failing to look after your oral hygiene can quickly cause dental issues such as gum disease and cavities. This is likely to result in pain, loss of confidence, and costly dental treatment. Luckily, keeping your teeth and gums healthy is relatively easy by following a good oral hygiene routine. Here are four habits for healthy teeth and gums:
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1. Maintain good oral hygiene
The most crucial step to maintain healthy teeth and gums is to follow good oral hygiene practices. You should consistently brush your teeth twice a day using quality fluoride toothpaste. Brushing is a simple way to keep your mouth healthy, but it is only effective if you use the correct technique. According to advice on medicalnewstoday.com, “you should brush your teeth for between two to three minutes using small circular motions.” Avoid brushing your teeth aggressively, or you risk causing damage to your gums and tooth enamel. Along with brushing, you should also use dental floss once a day to remove plaque and bacteria between your teeth, where a toothbrush is unable to reach.
2. Visit your dentist regularly
It is recommended that you visit your dentist for a checkup every six months. A dentist will examine your mouth and assess your oral health. Your dentist will also be able to provide you with valuable advice on how to further improve your oral hygiene and dental health. For instance, Enhanced Dental Studios Southport explains how a custom-fit mouthguard can help keep your mouth healthy while you sleep or play sport. You should try to maintain regular checkups with your dentist and contact your surgery immediately if you notice any potential dental issues such as tooth decay or erosion. This means that treatment can be carried out before any dental issues have a chance to develop into something significant.
3. Follow a healthy diet
Your diet plays a vital role in your overall dental health. Ideally, you should follow a nutritious diet that includes all the vitamins and minerals to support healthy teeth and gums. You should also avoid consuming too many sugary foods, and drinks as these can damage your teeth and cause cavities to form. Be wary that some healthy foods like fruit, contain high levels of natural sugar that can also damage your teeth. For that reason, you should try to consume fruits that contain low levels of natural sugar such as raspberries, limes, and kiwis. Try to stick to drinking water instead of consuming fruit juices that are often extremely acidic and high in sugar.
4. Avoid smoking
Smoking can harm your health in several ways and increase your chances of developing gum disease and other dental issues. The habit can also affect the physical appearance of your mouth and lead to yellow teeth and unpleasant breath. For that reason, you should always try to avoid smoking.
Use the above tips to improve the appearance of your smile, boost your confidence, and keep your dental health in top condition!