Maintain Dental Health With These Tips

Dental health is lot more than having an attractive smile. Good oral health will contribute to your oral hygiene. Dental care is more than just brushing. Poor oral hygiene will cause infection and inflammation of gums which will affect your body indirectly. This increases the importance of maintaining dental health to get shiny and clean gums and teeth. These are few simple steps that you can follow to maintain a good dental health.

Brush twice a day: First requirement of a good oral health is a clean teeth. Brushing in morning is for hygiene, whereas brushing in night is for the health. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush will help maintain oral hygiene. Rinse your mouth after every meal to avoid food particles from sticking in between the teeth and damage the gums.

Watch your brushing techniques: Use correct techniques for brushing; which includes back and forth movement, up and down movement and cleaning inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth. Change brushes every 3-4 months to maintain a good dental health. Keep your brush in upright position after air drying.

Clean your tongue: Do not forget to clean your tongue. It is better to use toothbrush itself to clean your tongue. Tongue cleaners often lead to scratches and bleeding in the tongue.

Limit the use of fluoride: Many toothpastes and mouth washes contain fluoride. Fluoride strengthens enamel and make it less prone to decay. But at the same time, too much use of fluoride can cause white spots on the teeth.

Floss daily: Brushing alone will not guarantee a good dental health. Using floss to clean in between the teeth is important. Pull the floss from the gum line to the top of the tooth to remove plaque. Clean sides of the tooth. Use new floss every time to maintain oral hygiene.

Eat healthy: A well balanced diet including grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products will provide essential nutrients and reduce inflammation of gums. Avoid sugar-rich foods. Bacteria in the mouth breaks down sugar and produce acids that can erode tooth enamel. Sipping such sugary drinks and chewing sticky candy raise acid levels and also causes mouth odour.

Check your mouth regularly: Check for any unusual findings like bad breath, bleeding or any colour change in gums or teeth. Bleeding while brushing or flossing needs attention, as these can be caused due to gum infections.

Quit smoking: Stop using tobacco as it causes stained teeth, infects gums and forms bad breath. Tobacco increases the risk of gum disease and mouth cancer.

Dental care in children: This should begin as soon as the first tooth comes out. You can wipe their teeth with a clean, damp cloth. As they reach about two years ,teach them to brush themselves under supervision. Do not use too much fluoride for children.

Make an appointment: A dental check-up every six months is recommended for all, particularly if you have dental problems or gum disease. This will help in diagnosing and treating any tooth problem at an early stage.

Good oral health is an investment in your overall health and will make your smile more beautiful. Follow these tips to maintain oral health and hygiene.