Kenmore dentist Dr Rachel of Evolve shares 12 top tips for great dental health so that you can maintain a healthy smile and reduce your risk of tooth decay or gum disease.
You can improve your oral health from just average to superstar level in a variety of ways. It doesn’t matter whether people tell you your teeth are perfect; you have to practice daily care if you want them to stay in good, healthy condition.
Below are some tips you can use to improve your oral health:
1. Drink water
Water is essential for your general well-being, without water your body dehydrates and becomes more acidic. Being dehydrated reduces your saliva flow.
Reduced saliva plus acidity increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Drinking sugary drinks and sodas will also increase your risk for tooth decay and other health issues.
Drinking water after meals can also help with ridding teeth of acidic, sticky food particles that may cause tooth decay.
2. Plan visits to the dentist at least twice a year
Your habits may be crucial in determining your oral health but, you need to see a dentist at least twice a year, no matter how hygienic you are. These visits to the dentist are crucial for check-ups and professional cleaning.
3. Stick to regular oral hygiene practices as recommended by professionals
Some of the most crucial dental practices that will ensure your oral hygiene up to speed include brushing your teeth twice a day using a clean brush. You can clean your brush by rinsing and allowing it to air dry. Ensure you replace your toothbrush regularly.
4. Quit using tobacco products and alcohol
Heavy alcohol consumption and tobacco use are responsible for numerous oral conditions. Alcohol with a high sugar and acid content causes cavity and also results in discoloration.
On the other hand, tobacco is the #1 cause of oral cancers. In fact, smokers are 6x more likely to suffer from throat or mouth cancer than smokers.
5. Consult a healthcare provider if your mouth is getting dry from taking medication
If you are on a medication causing a dry mouth, ask your doctor to switch to one that doesn’t. If this is impossible and you cannot avoid dry mouth, hydrate by drinking water in plenty. Avoid imbibing, smoking tobacco, and only indulge in sugarless gum.
6. If you have diabetes, work hard to ensure this condition is under control
If you keep diabetes under control, you stand a better chance at decreasing such complications as gum disease. You can lower the level of sugar in your blood by treating gum disease.
7. Contact your dentist if you notice an unusual smell or shift in taste
A strange smell or a sudden change in taste may indicate an onset of oral complications, including tooth decay. Contact your dentist as soon you discover them.
8. Use mouthwash
Mouthwash is necessary for the maintenance of good oral health.
Mouthwash can help reduce acid levels in the mouth, clean areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush, and re-mineralize your teeth.
9. Reduce your acidic and sugary food intake
As mentioned before, acidic and sugary foods are responsible for the plaque which causes tooth decay. So limit your take to at mealtimes rather than constantly snacking or sipping at your sugary hits as the more often you expose your teeth to sugar the more your risk for tooth decay increases.
10. Brush your teeth every night before going to bed
Brushing your teeth before bed is the best to remove plaque and germs from the day’s accumulation. Don’t neglect this routine if you want healthy teeth.
11. Use proper techniques to brush your teeth
Not only is brushing your teeth important, but you also need to do it the right way. Use a soft-bristled brush, and brush at 45º starting from your gumline. Then brush the outside and inside of your teeth and over your molars. Lastly, brush your tongue and gums.
12. Floss regularly
Don’t leave out flossing in your oral hygiene regimen. Flossing is a very effective way of cleaning your teeth, stimulating the gums, and reducing plaque.
If you need more information on oral hygiene and what you should do to improve it, contact our experienced team at Evolve Dental Kenmore Dentist. 07 3720 1811
Rachel is the founder and principal dentist at Evolve Dental Healing with over 30 years experience, practising holistically since 2001. Not your typical dentist, Rachel is a passionate opinion leader, challenging convention to empower people to make better dental and health choices, helping thousands to have healthy natural smiles. A respected writer and presenter on holistic dentistry, health and wellness it is Rachel’s mission to revolutionise the way people look at their dental health.
