4 Tips for Oral Hygiene Basics

A healthy smile requires a lifetime of focusing on oral hygiene basics. Even if you currently have healthy teeth and history of proper dental care, a review of best practices is helpful to maintain good daily habits.

4 tips for a healthy smile

Focus on the details of these broad oral hygiene basics to ensure you retain your healthy, natural pearly whites for your entire lifetime.

1. Brush your teeth properly

You have most likely heard the recommendation to brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing before bed is particularly important to eliminate the germs that build up throughout the day. Your brushing technique is just as important as the frequency of brushing. Take your time, brush gently, focus equally on all surfaces of your teeth, and remember to brush your tongue, where plaque can build up. The correct products are important as well. Use fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush that is appropriately sized for your mouth.

2. Do not neglect your gums

Flossing is just as important as brushing. Everyone knows that flossing removes pieces of food stuck between teeth, but its real value is in eliminating plaque, stimulating the gums, and reducing inflammation in the mouth. One good flossing session a day is sufficient for these benefits. If traditional floss is difficult, there are a number of alternatives to try, including pre-threaded floss, interdental brushes, water floss, dental picks, and soft picks. A fluoride mouthwash is a good supplement to your oral care routine. It can assist in killing bacteria, reduce the mouth's level of acid, clean hard-to-reach areas, and re-mineralize the teeth, but it should not be used as a replacement for brushing or flossing.

3. Eat and drink healthy foods

Your diet is an extremely important part of healthy oral hygiene basics. Follow these important recommendations:

• Drink water. Water is an excellent beverage to consume for overall health, including oral health. Drinking water directly after a meal help may eliminate the stickiness and acidity of foods that can damage your tooth enamel.
• Eat fresh produce. Crunchy fruits and vegetables are helpful for teeth not only for their vitamins and minerals but also because the chewing required stimulates saliva, which helps to clean away bacteria and food particles.
• Avoid sugary foods. Sugar converts into acid in your mouth, and the acid erodes tooth enamel. Highly acidic drinks, such as fruit juice, tea, and coffee, can also damage enamel.

4. Visit your dentist regularly

Even if you are extremely conscientious about brushing, flossing, and eating right, you still need that twice-annual dental visit. Your dental professionals will give your teeth a good cleaning using specialized equipment to remove hardened plaque. They will also provide a thorough examination of your oral health to spot potential problems and create a treatment plan with you as needed. Periodic x-rays will also show what lies beneath your gums to ensure there are no hidden problems.