For most people, having a healthy mouth means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing. Even though those are good oral habits, maintaining a healthy mouth requires doing more than that. If you want to learn how to keep your mouth healthy, these tips will improve your oral health and keep your mouth clean.
Seven Healthy Mouth Habits and Tips
1. Visit your dentist regularly
The American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year, but a lot of people have a hard time doing so. Visiting your dentist twice a year helps you prevent serious oral problems because frequent trips to the dentist will help them notice any signs of tooth decay or gum disease and treat it before it gets worse. Your dentist can also notice other health problems you might have, including diabetes, HIV/AIDS and cancer, which is another reason to make regular visits.
2. Cut back on the sugar
Candy and other sweets taste good, but they are also the leading cause of tooth decay. Sugar also increases the levels of bacteria and the acidity in your mouth, allowing the formation of plaque, which eats away at your enamel and damages your gums. If you find sweets hard to give up, brush your teeth after eating them to reduce the damage they do on your teeth.
3. Avoid sodas and juices
Like sugar, soft drinks cause a lot of damage to your teeth. The phosphoric acid and citric acid in sodas and juices damage your enamel, leaving you with weak teeth. You can substitute soda with water and add flavor with sliced citrus. If you have to consume soda, drink it with a straw to protect your enamel from damage.
4. Use proper brushing techniques
Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, it won’t have the desired effect if you are doing it wrong. The proper way to brush your teeth requires you to hold the brush at a 45-degree angle using short circular motions. You are also supposed to brush each tooth 10 to 15 times to make sure you get all the film off.
If you are not sure if you are brushing your teeth correctly, ask your dentist to show you the proper way to do it.
5. Use the right toothbrush
When you brush your teeth, it is important to use the right toothbrush and the right technique to get the maximum effect. Make sure you buy a toothbrush with soft bristles and remember to replace it every two to three months. If the bristles on your toothbrush are frayed, you need to buy a new one immediately.
6. Stop smoking
The Surgeon General’s warning on tobacco products is not put on the label for the fun of it. Smoking and using smokeless tobacco is harmful to your health in general and especially bad for your teeth because tobacco stains your teeth and can lead to diseases like oral cancer.
7. Use mouthwash frequently
Ideally, you are supposed to brush your teeth after every meal. However, not too many people have the time to do that on a daily basis. Mouthwash comes in handy in those situations because it helps you rinse your mouth after meals keeping it clean until you get a chance to brush it again before going to bed.
Conclusion
Having a healthy mouth requires a lot of maintenance on your part. If you need more tips on how to maintain good oral hygiene, ask your dentist for more tips to help keep your mouth healthy.
Request an appointment or call Integrated Dental Care at (610) 600-9745 for an appointment in our Exton office.