Everyone desires a stunning smile that they can be proud of, which is why maintaining excellent oral health is vital. Having poor oral hygiene can lead to various oral health problems, such as infection, gum disease, heart disease, and more. Visiting a dentist in Thunder Bay for regular evaluations of dental hygiene near you is the best way to prevent these problems from occurring.
In this blog post, our team at Current River Dental has put together a list of 10 things that you can do to maintain excellent oral hygiene.
#1 Use Proper Brushing Techniques
One of the simplest ways to keep your teeth healthy and clean is to use the correct brushing technique. When brushing your teeth, make sure that you position the bristles at an angle of 45 degrees near the gum line. Both the gum line and tooth surface should be in contact with the bristles. Brush in gentle, circular motions for at least two minutes, covering all sides of your teeth.
#2 Remember to Floss
Flossing can feel like a chore, but when you visit a dentist for your appointment concerning dental hygiene in Thunder Bay, they will almost certainly ask if you floss on the regular. This is because flossing can help you remove food particles and bacteria from between your teeth, removing what your toothbrush cannot reach. Remember to floss at least once a day, preferably in the evening.
#3 Avoid Tobacco
Not only is tobacco bad for your mouth, but it is also bad for your entire body. Avoiding tobacco will drastically reduce your chances of developing oral cancer and gum disease.
#4 Limit Your Consumption of Alcohol, Coffee, and Soda
Although you may enjoy these beverages, it is best to keep your consumption of them to a minimum. These beverages can eventually lead to dull and discolored teeth, and their sugar content can contribute to the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth, increasing your risk of tooth decay.
#5 Ingest Calcium and Other Healthy Vitamins
It would help if you had plenty of calcium to maintain strong teeth and bones. Drink milk, orange juice, and eat yogurt, cheese, and broccoli to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Vitamin B is also helpful for protecting your gums and teeth from infection and decay.
#6 Visit Your Dentist
As mentioned earlier, you must visit a dentist near you twice a year for a professional dental cleaning and checkup to maintain excellent oral hygiene.
#7 Use Mouthwash
Individuals often overlook this, but mouthwash is an easy and effective way to remove any lingering bacteria along your gums, teeth, and tongue.
#8 Address Symptoms Immediately
If you are ever experiencing a toothache or jaw pain, don’t wait to make an appointment. The sooner you can get to a dentist, the better your chances of successful treatment and recovery.
#9 Clean Your Tongue
Brush your tongue each day to remove the bacteria lingering there. Even better, purchase a tongue scraper and scrape your tongue in the morning and evening.
#10 Consider the Big Picture
Everyone knows that you should take care of your teeth to avoid toothaches and maintain a radiant-looking smile. However, many individuals don’t understand how essential oral health is to your overall health. Oral health issues can lead to systemic infections, diabetes, poor nutrition, heart disease, and more. If it has been more than six months since you have seen a dentist, book your consultation with our team at Current River Dental today.