No matter how diligent you are with your oral health, there is always room for improvement. After all, a smile is as important as a polite handshake. A healthy mouth with fresh breath shows the world that you care about presenting your best self to the world.
Here are 10 tips to make your pearly whites the pearliest (and healthiest!)
1. Get regular checkups. See the oral health specialists and visit us for a cleaning and checkup every six months. This should start at an early age, so make sure you get your little ones in here right away.
2. Brush three times a day, after each meal.If you can’t brush your teeth midday, make sure certain you brush when you wake up and before you go to bed. This is the very least you can do to keep your mouth healthy. Oral health is all up to you!
3. Use toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride so super important because it prevents decay and keeps your teeth white.
4. Use your toothbrush the right way. Make short, smooth, circular movements. Don’t forget to get the gumline and all teeth from the front to the very back. Never share your toothbrush. Sharing your toothbrush with anyone, kids or significant other included is a big no-no. It encourages bacteria to find a new home in a new mouth which could lead to illness or infections. This is a crucial tip to remember because people with infectious diseases or compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to new germs being introduced through their mouth.
5. Replace your brush often. We recommend buying a new toothbrush every three months to prevent periodontal diseases. If you use an electric toothbrush, the same applies. Get a new head every three months. If you come down with an illness like a cold or flu, replace the toothbrush as soon as you’re well again to prevent the nasty germs from hanging around and reintroducing sickness into your household.
6. Using dental floss is SO important. Good oral health begins and ends with flossing. Use it daily. The best time to floss is at night, so you can remove all of the bacterial plaque that has built up during the day. When you put the floss between each tooth, make sure to use a slight back-and-forth motion to get into all the little crevices where plaque likes to linger.
7. Use mouth rinses. Using a mouth rinse doesn’t replace brushing your teeth, but it does keep your breath fresh, and more importantly, it helps you avoid infections and bacteria build-up.
8. Eat a healthy diet. A varied and balanced diet also helps to strengthen the immune system so that it can defend itself against any infection in the mouth. Limit snacking between meals.
9. Chewing gum can improve your oral health. If you eat away from home and can’t brush your teeth, use sugarless gum, particularly those that use xylitol as a sweetening agent (it has bactericidal properties). Chewing the gum will stimulate your salivary glands which is great for your teeth because your saliva is the best anti-bacterial agent that exists.
10. Don’t go overboard with at-home teeth whitening. These products are effective, but when used excessively, they can damage your tooth enamel.
And there you have it! We love to talk teeth, so call us today at 317-745-4400 to book your appointment. (and make sure to check out our new patient promotions!)
Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
(317) 745-4400
