Having great dental hygiene isn’t just about keeping and maintaining a beautiful smile. It also means staying healthy, avoiding injury and illness, and preventing your teeth from decaying, developing cavities, or other issues.
You want to keep your teeth and gums happy and healthy for as long as possible, and that means incorporating effective dental hygiene measures as soon as you can.
Oral hygiene is just as important as hygiene in other parts of your body!
If you’ve been neglecting this area for far too long, or are just looking for some ways to improve your habits, then you’ve come to the right place. Below, we have listed the top 10 of the easiest dental hygiene tips so that you can enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile for years to come!
1. Floss every day
While brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth daily helps to keep your teeth clean, flossing is the additional step that completes the job.
Using floss can help remove plaque and leftover food from hard to reach places inside of your mouth.
A piece of floss can get into places that a toothbrush simply can’t, like in-between your teeth and under the gums.
Set aside a few minutes every day to incorporate flossing into your routine if you haven’t already. We know that you’ve heard it time and time again, but there’s really nothing quite like a good old flossing session to achieve a sparkling clean mouth.
2. Brushing your teeth
Along with flossing, you should brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time. This ensures that you are thoroughly cleaning every section of your mouth and not just rushing through the act.
Brush towards the gums, using small circular motions and take your time to reach each area from the front to the back of your mouth.
Don’t forget to give your tongue a good scrub as well!
Some toothbrushes on the market have built-in tongue scrapers behind the actual toothbrush so that you can get this job done easily.
3. Regularly seeing your dentist
If you want to maintain a clean and beautiful smile, don’t neglect your dental appointments.
It can be easy to get carried away with the hustle and bustle of life and skip much needed dental maintenance. However, you will feel much better knowing that your teeth have been examined by a professional, and that there are no issues you need to be aware of.
Cavities and dental problems that are left untreated will worsen over time and require more serious (and painful) intervention like root canals or surgery.
Avoid these invasive and expensive procedures by being proactive about your dental health and attending regular cleanings and checkups.
4. Mouthwash and tongue cleaners
In addition to your tooth floss and your toothbrush, you may want to add some other handy tools to your cabinets.
Mouthwash is an effective oral cleaner that can be easily used on the go.
Tongue cleaners, water picks, and electric brushes are also readily available at local drug stores or supermarkets if you’d like to step up your hygiene regimen.
5. Drink more water
It should go without saying that a healthy body contributes to a healthy smile.
Keeping active, staying fit, and eating nutritious foods will help you reach your personal improvement goals.
It’s important to drink sufficient water so that your mouth doesn’t get dry or harbour bacteria. Stay away from sugary sodas and unhealthy beverages or sticky sweets, as these foods will only ruin your diet and stick to your teeth, causing gum problems and cavities over time.
6. Stop smoking
Smoking is a huge contributor to periodontal disease, as well as many other ailments.
It can be the cause of oral cancer, bad breath, and many other problems.
Put down that cigarette if you want to drastically improve your oral health. It may not be easy to break the habit, but it will be well worth it once you do.
7. Take care of orthodontics
Have you always needed or wanted braces, but never thought it was the right time?
Do you have lingering dental issues that you keep putting on the backburner?
If so, it’s time to address these issues. Make an appointment with your dentist or orthodontist so you can start getting to the bottom of your dental problems and solve them once and for all.
8. Conduct home examinations
While you may only see a dentist 2–3 times a year, it’s important to regularly check in with yourself and self-manage any issues should they arise.
If something doesn’t look or feel right in your mouth, chances are there’s a problem.
You are the best judge of that, so be on the lookout and don’t be afraid to check your own mouth regularly for sores, cavities, and other dental issues.
9. Talk to a professional
If you do notice something is wrong, don’t ever be embarrassed to seek professional help. Sometimes, it goes beyond the scope of home remedies and self-monitoring.
Build a relationship with a dentist that you feel comfortable with and who you can easily go to for casual advice or help.
10. Don’t delay seeking help
Another important tip is to not delay seeking professional help.
If the issue persists for more than a few days or a week, it doesn’t hurt to get it checked out by a dentist or orthodontist. The longer you leave the problem on the backburner, the more time it has to fester and create further issues.
No matter which way you put it, dental hygiene is an important part of your health and should be prioritized as such. While it can seem like a chore to brush your teeth throughout the day and floss every night, the results will be apparent over time and you can rest assured your teeth and gums will be in the best condition possible.
For more important information on dental hygiene and to speak to a dentist in Mississauga and the GTA, please call Bristol Dental at 866-623-9216 or contact us here.
We would be happy to answer any questions you may have or to book a consultation to further discuss your dental needs. Contact us today to get started on your smile journey.
[…] 10 Top Tips for Stellar Dental Hygiene […]