Keeping your mouth healthy doesn’t just mean protecting your smile – research has consistently demonstrated the link between a healthy mouth and overall well being, with gum disease a risk factor for developing a range of diseases and conditions that include heart problems and stroke.
Keep reading for the five best tips to keep your mouth clean and healthy for improved confidence, a radiant smile, and protection from illness.
Table of Contents
Get a Great Brushing Routine
Let’s start with the basics. Brushing your teeth properly is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy; you should brush your teeth twice a day for about two minutes each time, using a regular or an electric toothbrush. Take care to clean the surfaces of every tooth, and finish by giving your tongue a brush, too. This will result in the removal of plaque and food debris that, if allowed to build up, can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and other problems.
Your dentist can give you plenty of advice on brushing techniques and help you choose the best type of brush for your needs.
Use Dental Floss
Flossing is a great way to get into the little gaps between teeth and under the gumline that brushing can easily miss – this can result in the build-up of food debris. In turn, this is a leading cause of swollen or diseased gums as well as tooth decay and bad breath.
Using dental floss can be a little tricky at first, but most people are able to quickly get the hang of it and incorporate it into their routine. Dentists recommend flossing daily and can give you a demonstration to help you learn the best technique to use.
To get started, use about eighteen inches of floss; keep most of the length taut between your index fingers and thumbs, leaving about an inch to clean with. Now, slide it up and down between each tooth, and curve it around the base of each tooth, too, being sure to clean beneath the gum line. Be gentle as you go to avoid causing soreness or snapping the floss. As you move from tooth to tooth, use a clean section of floss and, when you’re finished, use a back and forth motion to remove the thread, bringing it up and away from the teeth.
Consider Tooth Whitening
Tooth whitening treatment can be a great way to get a fabulous smile, and, with home whitening kits, it’s now easier and cheaper to achieve than ever before.
New innovations in tooth whitening processes incorporate the use of LED to optimize the effects of the treatment and lengthen the duration of the results. The new Colgate whitening system is an example of this method, requiring just ten minutes of use for ten days to see a big difference; this system is suitable even for those with sensitive teeth and has been proven to whiten teeth by up to six shades.
Most whitening kits that use LED tech come with a whitening gel that’s applied to a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece also contains the LED component and, once the gel is applied, is inserted into the mouth and turned on. The lighting works to activate the gel, delivering visible results fast and is typically excellent for reducing the appearance of coffee, wine, and nicotine stains on the surfaces of the teeth, as well as helping to improve the appearance of a smile affected by general yellow discoloration.
Take Care Of Your Diet
What we eat and drink has a major effect on the health of our mouth. Sugar is one of the biggest trouble-makers; bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar left on the surfaces of the teeth, which, in turn, can result in bacterial infections and the development of cavities.
Brushing properly can help to avoid this but cutting back on sugar, too, is a great idea to promote not just the health of the mouth but your whole body. There are some simple, pain-free ways to do this. For example, limit (or avoid) consuming sugary drinks, and, if you wish to drink fruit juice, enjoy a glass with a meal rather than on its own. Top cereal with chopped fruit rather than a spoonful of sugar, and switch out sweet snacks for cheese and crackers, boiled eggs, or a handful of nuts. Just a few small changes can make a big difference to your daily levels of sugar consumption.
Take a Trip To Your Dentist
And finally, regular visits to the dental clinic are vital for maintaining a clean and healthy mouth. It’s important for your dentist to be able to assess the health of your teeth and gums, and he or she can provide, or refer you for, a deeper clean if necessary to get things back on track.
Your dentist will be able to spot any issues early so that they can get promptly resolved – quick treatment can prevent a more significant problem from developing. Your dental team is also an important source of information and advice on how to keep your mouth healthy and the products most suitable for your use and will be happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you have.
