Oral health is essential to maintain. Otherwise, we’ll run the risk of developing serious diseases or oral health issues. A common misconception is that only those who do not have nice and healthy-looking teeth should practice diligent social hygiene. But no matter how good-looking or white your teeth look, basic daily efforts to take care of them should be conducted.
That’s because most oral health issues are not noticeable. Diseases can be developed even without you feeling any pain. But good oral hygiene will eliminate, if not significantly reduce the risk of developing oral issues. Here are the proper steps to take for good oral health.
Never go to bed without brushing your teeth
It’s common knowledge that we have to brush our teeth at least twice a day. But many still neglect to brush their teeth at night before going to sleep. This increases the likeliness of plaque buildup and cavities. Without brushing, you’re not getting rid of bacteria buildup on your teeth that have accumulated throughout the day.
Ideally, you want to brush your teeth in the morning and night. If you’re more conscious about your oral health, you can even brush after every meal for the best results.
Brush your tongue
When brushing our teeth, we often forget to do the same to our tongue. But plaque can also attach to and build-up on your tongue. Every time you brush your teeth, don’t forget to gently brush your tongue or use a tongue cleaner to get rid of bacteria and plaque.
Choose the right toothpaste
When shopping for a toothpaste, people have the following criteria: long-lasting fresh breath, whiter teeth, stronger teeth, etc. But it’s important to look beyond these characteristics when looking for toothpaste to use. An important ingredient to have is fluoride.
Fluoride is the ultimate defense against tooth decay. It helps fight germs inside the mouth and provide a barrier for your teeth. So the next time you go shopping for toothpaste, look for fluoride in the list of ingredients.
Don’t neglect to floss
For most people, flosses are only essential when they get food stuck in between their teeth. But actually, it’s not only made for that purpose. Flossing is just as important as brushing. Doing this daily can help stimulate the gums and get rid of plaque and bacteria buildup in areas the toothbrush can’t reach. It also helps eliminate inflammation, reducing the chances of you suffering from toothache.
Some people, however, choose not to floss because of sensitive gums. True enough, there is the tendency for bleeding of the gums when flossing. But this calls for looking for better flossing options, not to eliminate flossing completely.
Visit your dentist twice a year
Many people make the mistake of visiting the dentist only when they experience a toothache or other pain or discomfort in their mouths. Visiting the dentist is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s essential to maintain optimal oral health. Whether we like it or not, we should visit our dentist twice every year, every 6 months to be exact.
Doing this will help us maintain proper oral health. Dentists can give our teeth, tongue, and gums a good clean and can even spot early signs of oral problems and conduct efforts to prevent its development. Maybe you don’t know it, but your teeth might suffer from misalignment and you might need Invisalign clear braces.
It’s easy to neglect basic oral hygiene efforts. But doing so will cause serious oral health problems in the long run. Take these tips and diligently take care of your teeth the proper way.
