As we know oral health plays a significant role in one’s overall health. Gum disease gives way to a range of health-related issues such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease as well as Alzheimer’s. So, we ought to be careful about oral hygiene.
A good oral hygiene routine is not just about brushing and flossing teeth. Granted, brushing and flossing are very critical. But it is not enough. You need to do more if you wish to maintain optimal oral health. It is advisable to consult a dental clinic at Smile Clinic London to learn more about oral hygiene from a professional.
Here are some 9 simple ways in which you can improve your oral hygiene routine:
1. After eating some types of foods, wait a while before brushing teeth
Some of the foods we consume are acidic in nature. Examples include citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and wine, as well as soda. It has been observed that the enamel on the set of tooth tends to soften immediately after one eats such foods. Therefore if one brushes right after eating those sorts of foods, some of the enamel may end up being removed. That would expose the inner parts of the tooth to great damage. The right thing to do is wait for some time after eating. This should be ideally 30 to 60 minutes.
2. Start using a toothbrush with softer bristles
Many of us like using toothbrushes with medium or firm bristles. That is because such toothbrushes leave the teeth ‘feeling’ clean. The problem with such toothbrushes is that they are rather abrasive and can damage them. So, the best option is to go for toothbrushes with softer bristles. These are still able to clean them optimally. But they aren’t harsh and don’t damage them.
Moreover, one needs to be mindful of their tooth brushing technique. It shouldn’t be too vigorous. Instead, it should be in short circular motions.
3. Always begin by brushing the rear teeth
The rear tooth often end up not being properly cleaned, if one starts at the front. That is why it is advisable to start brushing at the rear end. This way, the hard-to-reach tooth get proper attention. That is before turning to the front one, which are more easily reachable. If you are unsure of the right way to brush, you may consider asking your dentist for advice in this area. It is a critical thing, which can actually even justify booking an appointment at the private dental Clinic at Smile Clinic London. And you shouldn’t feel any shame in asking your dentist for brushing advice. The dentist is an expert in this area, and they are the right person to offer the advice you need.
4. Start using mouthwash and sugar-free gum
There are some bacteria that you may not be able to get rid of through brushing and flossing. The continued presence of such bacteria in the mouth can lead to the formation of plaque. So how to get rid of them? One way is by making use of mouthwash. After brushing in a normal manner, you can rinse using mouthwash. Sugar-free gum can also be helpful in getting rid of bacteria in the mouth. Moreover, using sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production. And that is very beneficial for oral health in the long run.
5. Record yourself brushing
It is quite easy to take a selfie video while brushing your teeth. And there is a study which showed that recording ownself while brushing may help in improving the brushing technique. If you know your brushing session is being recorded you will be more focused to do things in the right way.
6. Avoid brushing too frequently
There is a myth that one should brush after every meal. Matter of fact is that brushing teeth too often damage the enamel. So, the current best practice is to brush only twice per day. The key thing is to ensure that you thoroughly brush as mentioned above. What one needs to do after eating or snacking is simply rinse/swish with plain water.
7. Avoid lingering over sugary drinks
Generally, we should minimize the intake of sugary drinks, for the good oral health. And it is better to take them at once. That is as opposed to continually sipping the sugary drink throughout the day. With sipping sugary drinks, the bacteria in the mouth get a continual supply of sugar. They consume sugar as their food and metabolize this into lactic acid. This lactic acid gets mixed with minerals and forms cavities which damage the tooth.
8. Consume more teeth whitening foods
Foods that can whiten the tooth are mostly those which are coarse and fibrous. When such foods are eaten raw, they can be quite good for the set of tooth. Examples include celery, apples and lettuce. Others are cucumbers and pears. Gnawing on such foods can thus be beneficial for your oral health. Due to their coarseness, they can remove plaque from the teeth. Moreover, eating such foods stimulates saliva production, which is good for the teeth. Among other things, saliva helps to neutralize the acids that are present in the mouth, and which would otherwise damage the teeth.
9. Develop the habit of washing your toothbrush holder regularly
The toothbrush holder is one of those items whose cleanliness can be very easily forgotten. Yet this is a container in which many germs can accumulate. Therefore one should clean it once or twice each week with the use of warm soapy water. Thereafter, it needs to be cleaned further using a disinfectant wipe.
By taking these measures, you can improve your oral hygiene routine significantly. Besides these steps, you should go for regular dental checkups. The hygiene dentists at Smiles Dental Clinic will share useful tips to ensure overall strong oral health. Besides, they may also diagnose any developing cavities that can cause great damage to your teeth. So take an action and book an appointment right away.Just brushing and flossing teeth regularly is not enough for proper oral health. Know the useful and easy measures you should take to optimize oral hygiene.
