Dental Routine: 10 Tips for a Bright and Healthy Smile
Your smile is very much part of your personality. And being able to deliver a bright and healthy smile when meeting someone feels good every time.
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums always requires some effort. It often requires you to follow a good dental routine regularly. You may also need to visit someone like Bridgewater Cosmetic Dentists, for instance, to get professional help to correct any dental problems affecting your smile and oral health.
Once you finally feel happy and confident with your smile, you must do your part to keep it. Here are some activities that you should include in your dental routine.
(1) Make sure you brush teeth twice daily
You may feel tempted to skip brushing your teeth before bed, especially if you are tired after a busy day. However, even missing one night of brushing can encourage bacteria to thrive.
Brushing your teeth twice daily should be a fundamental part of your oral hygiene routine.
Brushing helps to remove any food debris that can lead to a buildup of plaque.
Bacteria love plaque as it provides them the opportunity to grow. Bacteria can lead to issues such as tooth decay, cavities, and even gum disease. That is why you should commit to brushing your teeth thoroughly twice daily for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
(2) Don’t forget to floss
Another critical part of your dental routine is flossing.
Flossing allows you to clean those hard-to-reach places where your toothbrush might not reach. If you do not floss regularly, it encourages plaque and bacteria to thrive.
Plaque buildup can cause gum inflammation. And If left untreated, it can lead to bleeding, swelling, and, eventually, gum disease.
Consider flossing to be as important as brushing your teeth. Include it into your daily oral hygiene routine to help maintain healthy gums and avoid gum disease.
(3) Choose the right toothpaste
Most dentists will recommend you use toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps to keep the tooth enamel strong. Using toothpaste that contains fluoride can make a difference, as it helps prevent cavities or tooth decay. And it might even thwart the early onset of periodontal diseases.
Quick Tip: buy toothpaste with at least 1,350 to 1,500 ppm of fluoride, as studies find them most effective.
(4) Watch what you eat and drink
Even if you follow a good dental routine with regular brushing and flossing, you could still face an uphill task keeping your teeth and gums healthy if you have too much sugar in your diet.
Sugar is one of the main culprits when it comes to contributing to tooth decay. Try to limit the number of sugary snacks and drinks you consume. Your waistline and teeth will benefit from that decision.
(5) Pay regular visits to the dentist
Visit the dentist at least once every six months. This biannual visit will allow them to keep a good eye on the oral health of your teeth and gums. Regular check-ups also enable your dentist to provide early intervention before your dental problem worsens.
Sometimes, dental problems aren’t immediately visible. A dentist can perform an X-ray to check your roots are in good order.
(6) Do not ignore the type of food you eat
As well as being mindful about limiting sugary snacks, it also makes sense to consider the foods you can eat that will promote good dental hygiene.
Eating a good selection of fruit and vegetables will help your teeth and gums as they provide a crunchy and chewy texture. Your healthy eating selection will also promote saliva production and help clean your mouth as you eat.
(7) Stay hydrated
Why is it important to stay hydrated?
Staying hydrated is essential to your dental regime for some valid reasons.
When you drink plenty of water and keep your body hydrated, you are helping your mouth to produce more saliva as well as helping your overall health profile.
In between brushes, your mouth will be vulnerable to a buildup of bacteria caused by food particles that are hanging around in your mouth. Drinking plenty of water will help wash these away as you generate more saliva.
(8) Inspect your tongue to see how healthy it is
We often forget to care about the tongue when we brush our teeth. However, you should get into the habit of checking your tongue health to see if it looks healthy.
If you can see a white or yellow film covering your tongue, bacteria may be to blame for your bad breath. If your toothbrush comes with a tongue scraper on the back of the head, use it to scrape your tongue as part of your brushing routine.
(9) Think about the risk of damaging a tooth
By biting on something hard, countless people end up breaking a tooth or ruining a filling.
Some foods are naturally firm and thus require some effort to bite through. But you can reduce the risk of damage by avoiding foods like hard candies and resisting the temptation to chew a pen cap in moments of tension.
(10) Check the state of your toothbrush
If you use a manual toothbrush, it makes sense to replace it as soon as the bristles start losing their shape or effectiveness. You should also ensure the brush is clean before and after using it.
If you use an electric toothbrush, you should also check the condition of the brush head. Replace it when you see signs of wear and tear in the head.
- Store your toothbrush in an upright position.
- Make sure it has adequate exposure to air.
- Avoid storing it away in a cupboard after use.
Final thoughts
Following these simple tips can help you develop a good oral hygiene routine. These suggestions will help you maintain the healthy smile you desire while reducing your risk of developing gum disease and other periodontal diseases.
Make regular dental visits. A regular dental checkup will allow your dentist to examine your teeth and assist you with any oral health issues that regular brushing alone cannot solve.
About This Article
This article is medically reviewed by Dr. Adeel Ali, an accomplished implant dentist with a diploma from the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is a UK-based practitioner, trainer, and international speaker. His speciality lies in sinus grafting and transformative dentistry.
