How To Maintain Good Oral Hygiene to Keep My Teeth Healthy?

Everyone wants to live their best life and part of that is keeping teeth healthy and functional. Good oral hygiene doesn’t just give you a great smile but helps keep your teeth working well. That’s important to nutrition as it affects what and how you eat.

Some people genetically have worse teeth than others. There are those with weaker teeth, shorter teeth, and with thinner enamel. It is crucial for those who are predisposed to these issues to make the extra effort to protect their teeth with good oral hygiene.

Good oral hygiene can help everyone maintain their teeth for a lifetime. It’s relatively simple to implement and will save you thousands on dental care procedures over your life.

Here are some tips for implementing good oral hygiene that keep your teeth healthy.

1. Brush twice a day.

This may sound like an old song but regular brushing reduces plaque and tartar on teeth. However, you must not just brush but brush properly. That means moving in small, circular motions over your teeth surface. Concentrate on brushing back molars and the inside of your teeth. Dentists recommend spending two minutes on teeth brushing each time.

2. Floss daily.

Many see flossing as hard or aggravating but it only takes a minute or two to remove food debris. Using floss after a meal to remove food particles is much easier and more convenient than using things like toothpicks, straws, or business cards. It’s safer for your teeth and gums too.

Good flossing products are easily found at drugstores or even dollar stores. One of the better ones is the pick/flosser combination with the thread between two posts. They are easy to use and you don’t have to wrap string around your fingers to floss. Some even come with a mint flavor to the string.

3. Get good oral health care products.

One of the advantages of living in a modern society is the availability of quality oral healthcare products. There are toothpaste products, mouth rinses, and other options to help you keep your teeth healthy.

Two products to consider are a water flosser and an electric or battery-operated toothbrush. Both are highly effective in removing food particles, plaque, and debris. While these products aren’t necessary as you can do these things manually, they may help those with mobility problems who are less motivated to complete a full oral healthcare routine using a traditional toothbrush or floss.

The water flosser is especially helpful in getting rid of plaque at the gumline, which can make your next dental visit a positive one.

4. Use an antibacterial mouthwash or rinse.

Antibacterial washes or rinses are a good way to fight bacteria in the mouth. They can clear up ulcers and early infections.

Some antibacterial mouthwashes are alcohol-free for those who want to avoid alcohol. Many are also formulated to feel pleasant rather than with a stinging after-burn. You may need to try several brands to find the one right for you.

5. Eat foods that are good for your teeth.

Dentists often talk about foods that you should stay away from to protect your teeth like sugary foods, sodas, and sticky candies. However, there are plenty of foods that are good for your teeth and can help naturally scrub away plaque and tartar.

Foods to eat include fibrous and watery foods. Fibrous foods like apples, pears, carrots, and broccoli are great scrubbers for your teeth. The secret is to eat them raw because they lose their abrasion when you cook them. Plus, all of them are excellent nutritional choices for snacks. Water foods like watermelon are good to eat for oral health. Watery foods can help rinse food particles from your mouth and assist saliva in keeping your mouth moist. That is best for oral health.

You should also drink lots of water and include milk in your diet. Water helps flush out food debris from around teeth and milk has long been known to help bone health. Teeth and the jaw are bones so it’s good for them.

6. See your dentist.

You should see your dentist at least twice a year for an exam and cleaning. Keeping teeth clean is a good way to keep them healthy. Your dentist will take digital X-rays once a year so you can catch any problems early.

Some people who have trouble fighting plaque and tartar may need to schedule a third dental visit for the year or include deep teeth cleaning.

We Want to Help You

We are here to help you keep your mouth healthy! Schedule an appointment with us and let us set up a maintenance or treatment plan that improves your health and smile. We look forward to assisting you on your journey to optimal health.