Did you know that your oral hygiene is associated with your overall health? If you do not care for your mouth, you may be at risk of poor overall health. Having good oral hygiene is essential. When you think about how important your teeth are to your ability to eat, speak, and socialize, it is no wonder your dental health is linked to your well-being. Everyone can benefit from these oral hygiene tips.
If you want to schedule an appointment with our Scottsdale dentist, please give us a call right away.
Brushing Your Teeth Correctly
You may assume that since you have been brushing your teeth since you can remember, you know how to do so properly. However, everyone can benefit from brushing up on their toothbrushing techniques.
You likely already know that you should brush your teeth twice daily. Brushing your teeth should take around two minutes, and spending about 30 seconds in each quadrant of your mouth is a good guideline.
The ADA recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush and replacing it every three months. A harder toothbrush can cause permanent damage such as tooth sensitivity, receding gums, and damage to your enamel.
If you notice that your bristles are frayed, you are likely brushing your teeth too hard. Brushing your teeth and gums too hard is another way you can cause permanent damage.
Use Fluoride Products
Fluoride is an essential part of your oral hygiene. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is believed to prevent dental caries. You can find it in fluoridated water, foods, and dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.
Not having enough fluoride can cause dental health issues. We strongly recommend using fluoride products.
Most public water sources in the United States are fluoridated, so brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste using fluoridated water can help you get the benefits of this mineral.
You can also make sure you eat foods that are high in fluoride. Include a healthy amount of foods such as corn, oatmeal, canned shrimp, russet potatoes, cottage cheese, and asparagus to get fluoride in your diet.
Refer to the list of foods and drinks with fluoride provided by the National Institutes of Health to find out how to fortify your diet.
How to Floss
Flossing is crucial to removing food particles and plaque from between your teeth. You can typically have a healthy dental care routine where you floss once daily. Sometimes you must floss after meals if they get food bits stuck between their teeth or into their gums.
To properly floss, gently press your floss up to your gums. Use the floss to scrape the side of each tooth using an up-down motion. Gentle pressure is enough to get the job done. Do not saw at your gums, as that can cause pain and bleeding, which can make your oral hygiene suffer.
Having a dentist give you a flossing demonstration is very helpful, and we strongly recommend you ask them for one when you go for your next dental cleaning.
Cut Out Bad Habits
There are several bad habits that many people have which can cause their dental health to suffer.
Smoking puts you at risk of developing gum disease and harms your body’s ability to heal. If you smoke, it can delay your healing time for any dental procedure you undergo. Further, smoking can stain your teeth and give you bad breath.
Sipping sugary drinks throughout the day (such as soda or coffee with sweeteners) can be bad for your dental health. Constantly coating your mouth in sugar increases your chances of developing dental cavities.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
We hope these oral hygiene tips will help you to avoid dental issues. We especially hope to hear from you to schedule a dental cleaning right away, especially if you are long overdue for a cleaning. Contact our office today to get on our appointment books to improve your oral hygiene. We are here to help you be as healthy as you can be.
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