Everybody wants to have a healthy mouth.
But just because you brush your teeth twice a day, it doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed good dental health. In fact, many things can stand in the way of your oral health and prevent you from having those pearly whites.
Let’s take a look at some of these obstacles, as well as how to overcome them. In this article, we’ll be discussing eight secrets for healthy teeth and gums:
1. Brush Regularly and Properly
When brushing, people should use a soft-bristle toothbrush. Using hard bristles can irreparably damage the delicate gums. They should also brush their teeth at least twice every day to ensure they don’t develop cavities or discolored enamel.
Even if someone brushes twice per day, they’ll still have a little food stuck in between their teeth. If somebody skips brushing for one whole day, this can lead to plaque buildup and discoloration of the teeth.
Due to this, it’s important to brush after every meal, even if you ate something simple like mashed potatoes or peas.
2. Use Fluoride, But Not Too Much
Fluoride is a mineral that helps to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay. It’s found in natural sources such as water, milk, fruits, vegetables, and grains.
The American Dental Association states that when people use fluoride often, it can slow or even reverse the process of tooth decay by strengthening teeth from the inside out.
When people take other forms of fluoride (such as tablets, drops, and mouth rinses), they should follow the instructions issued by their dentist or doctor. This will help them avoid getting too much fluoride which can cause discoloration of the teeth.
3. Floss at Least Once Daily
Flossing is an essential oral hygiene practice that people should perform at least once a day. It helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line where traditional brushing cannot reach. If flossing is done regularly, it can help to improve or even reverse gum disease.
People have been told all of their lives that they need to floss daily, but many people still neglect this important part of proper dental care. This may be because they don’t know how or when to do it.
Flossing shouldn’t replace brushing. It’s a way to maintain effective dental hygiene after one has brushed their teeth.
The best time for flossing is right before bedtime because residual food and bacteria are more likely to remain in the mouth at this time.
4. Eat Less Sugar
Eating less sugar is an important part of avoiding tooth decay. When people eat food or drink beverages that contain excessive amounts of sugar, they increase their risk for tooth decay, gingivitis, gum disease, and plaque buildup on their teeth.
A diet rich in high-sugar foods can cause a person’s blood glucose levels to spike. This creates an acidic environment in the mouth, causing the enamel to erode over time. People with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to tooth erosion because high blood glucose levels result in frequent acid attacks on teeth.
WHO limits sugar intake per day to less than 10% of a person’s total calories. This means that most people should eat no more than 100 grams of sugar per day. Men may consume up to 150 grams, and women need only 100 grams or less of sugar each day.
5. Do Not Smoke
Smoking is one of the leading causes of oral cancer. It has also been found that smoking increases a person’s risk for developing periodontal disease.
The toxic chemicals in cigarettes can damage a smoker’s gums, which causes them to become more susceptible to tooth loss. This means that smokers are also at greater risk for cavities than those who do not smoke.
Once people stop smoking, they will need to brush their teeth more frequently and pay closer attention to the condition of their gums.
If you want to find out more about how quitting smoking can improve your dental health, please read this article.
6. Brush Your Tongue
People often think that it’s enough to brush their teeth and forget about the rest of the mouth. This is a big mistake because many people form serious dental problems due to neglecting other parts of their mouth, especially the tongue.
The tongue is covered with thousands of tiny bumps called papillae, filled with millions of bacteria. The surface of the tongue harbors more germs than almost any other part of the body. These microbes can become trapped between your teeth where they cause cavities and gum disease.
If you want to avoid getting cavities or developing periodontal disease, then make sure that you clean your tongue thoroughly after meals.
7. Drink a Lot of Water
Drinking water is one of the best defenses against tooth decay. It isn’t necessary to drink a lot of water at once, but it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day. Staying well-hydrated helps flush out harmful toxins that can stain your teeth.
It also dilutes your saliva and washes away food particles and bacteria in your mouth, preventing them from adhering to any surface. This means that people who drink water after meals are less likely to develop cavities or gum disease because their mouths remain cleaner for longer periods of time than those who don’t.
8. Get Adult Braces
If you’re unhappy with the way your teeth are positioned, getting braces could be one of the best ways to get the perfect smile that you’ve always wanted.
While getting braces as an adult may seem strange at first, it can give you perfect teeth, improve your overall confidence, and give you a fresh look.
As people age, the bones and tissues in their mouth begin to shrink, causing tooth misalignment. This is why getting adult braces can be an important step for maintaining your smile over time because it will prevent teeth from moving out of position as you get older.
Maintain Healthy Teeth
Don’t neglect your teeth if you want to avoid serious problems later on. Maintaining healthy teeth will help you avoid cavities, reduce plaque buildup, and develop a stronger immune system overall.
We hope that this article has been helpful. To find out more crucial tips continue reading our other articles.