8 Ways to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

Keeping your mouth healthy is key to keeping your mouth happy. While brushing and flossing certainly help keep your mouth looking beautiful and fresh, there are other ways you can help take care of your oral health.

Here are 8 ways to improve your oral health and have a happy, healthy mouth:

1. Visit a Dentist

While many people avoid visiting a dentist, as they greatly dislike have their mouth poked and prodded, it is important to have regular dentist checkups. Even though nearly 50% of adults do not see the dentist regularly, neglecting to visit your family dentistry could lead to problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or even cancer. Similarly to visiting a regular physician, even if you are doing everything right, there still could be problems you are unaware of. A regular visit will help catch those problems should you have any.

2. Age

The older and younger folks tend to get out of the dentist more than others, as they more easily fly under the radar. But, they need oral mouth as much as anyone else, thus it is important not to neglect taking your children or your spouse with you to the dentist. In fact, dentists suggest that a child should see a dentist by the age of one. Moreover, because they are young, children will need help keeping their teeth cleaned and healthy.

For older men and women, arthritis and other health problems can make it difficult to floss properly. And, with age, saliva production decreases, which can lead to tooth decay. Thus, it is important to see a dentist regularly the older you age.

3. Sugary Drinks

One of the worst things for your teeth and mouth is a fizzy, sugary drink. Drinks like soda, sugary juice, and sugary teas, among others can actually produce cavities. Soda, in particular, is of the worst, as it has both phosphoric acid and citric acid, which both eat away at your teeth’s surface. While a soda every now and again is typically not an issue, those who drink a soda a day may find that their tooth enamel has grown softer, which makes their mouth more prone to cavities. Switch to drinking water with citrus, berries, or even mint leaves, as it will give you flavor without hurting your teeth.

4. Sugared Candy and Sweets

Like the sugar in soda and other drinks, sugar in general can lead to tooth decay. Sugar fuels the acidity and bacteria in your mouth, which leads to plaque that eats away at your teeth and gums. Nearly 20% of people in the United States face tooth decay, thus to avoid being one of the statistics, try to limit your in take of sugar. When you do have sugar, try to brush and floss afterwards.

5. Smoking

Lighting up and smoking a cigarette can severely affect your mouth. While smoking is notoriously known for causing lung cancer, it actually can cause oral cancer as well. The chemicals and tobacco in smoking are just as deadly to your lungs as they are your gums. Moreover, the nicotine in cigarettes eats away your gums, as well as turning them yellow and brown. The more you smoke, the more you create bacteria in your mouth, which leads to tooth decay and possibly tooth loss.

6. Toothbrush

Not all toothbrushes are the same, and it is important to use a brush with soft bristles. Ones with hard bristles will brush away your gums. And, a toothbrush should be replaced regularly, about every two to three months, otherwise bacteria can build up in the bristles.

7. Technique

It is suggested you brush your teeth at least twice a day, and while most people are great about that, many are not as great about how they do it. There is a technique to brushing, as doing it wrong can lead to gum decay. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, and use gentle motions to brush. Aggressive brushing can damage your teeth.

8. Flossing

When you floss, make sure that you are using a fresh section for each tooth, otherwise you will just be flossing around bacteria. Plus, be gentle when flossing by your gums, otherwise you may cause your gums to bleed.

These 8 tips can help keep your mouth healthy and happy.

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/teeth-models-gypsum-dentist-dental-797308/