Poor oral hygiene is when you don’t take care of your oral health. To stay healthy, you should introduce regular brushing and flossing into your dental routine. Dental experts agree that maintaining good oral hygiene can prevent teeth and gum-related problems.
Here are the 7 oral hygiene tips Dr. K recommends you do to keep your mouth healthy:
Replace Your Toothbrush Every 3 to 6 Months
If you have been using a toothbrush for more than 6 months, it’s time to throw it away! As a general rule of thumb, changing your toothbrush every 3 to 6 months is necessary. Any longer than that can damage the brush bristles, which damages the teeth surface.
Caring For Your Toothbrush
Replacing the toothbrush is vital but you also need to better care for your brush. Always rinse your toothbrush well and store it in a dry place.
Visit Your Dentist Twice A Year
Taking a trip to the dentist’s office will benefit you in the future. Your dentist will be able to prevent dental issues or spot them early when it’s easier to remedy if you schedule regular dental appointments.
Regular appointments are important for professional cleanings. A twice a year cleaning removes buildup of plaque and tartar and prolongs the health of your gums and teeth.
Maintain A Healthy Diet
Avoid sweetened food like carbonated beverages, candies, and sweet drinks. Processed food isn’t good for your teeth either and can cause cavities and tooth decay. Instead, include food sources that are rich in calcium to support strong teeth. Along with calcium, you should eat vegetables, yogurt, cheese, and nuts. Make a list of food with your dentist that will help keep your teeth in top condition.
Use Proper Dental Hygiene Products
Invest in products such as mouthwash, tongue cleaners, oral irrigators and interdental cleaners. These will help you reach every corner of your mouth, along with brushing and flossing.
Drink Plenty of Water
Sufficient hydration helps maintain a healthy saliva flow. Saliva produced in our mouth benefits our oral health by preventing food particles from sticking to teeth and causing cavities. A dry mouth also causes bad breath and proper hydration remedies this.
Quit Smoking
Smoking causes tooth staining and major periodontal diseases, leading to oral cancer, tooth decay, tooth loss and other gum problems. To save yourself from these harmful effects, quit smoking.
Use Dental Sealants
Dental sealants keep your teeth intact by covering up the grooves of your molars and premolars. This also protects your teeth from cavities and plaque. Children are good candidates as they often don’t brush routinely like adults, increasing the chance of developing cavities.
Conclusion
Take care of oral health; consult us at Monroe Family Dentistry to book an appointment with our dental hygiene dentist. You can visit our website or call us on 704-776-4278 for quick scheduling.
Our Dental Practice in Monroe, NC
Monroe Family Dentistry is there for you and your children from day one and we are happy to work with you and your child to start habits from birth. If you live near Monroe, NC call us to schedule an appointment today at 704.776.4278.
These are just some of the services we provide. To learn more about our dental practice in Monroe NC and the services we provide, call us or submit an appointment request.
