When you visit your dentist either to have a dental problem treated, get a cosmetic dentistry procedure, or for your routine check-up, there are things they tell you to do for better oral health. Some of those things include:
Brush regularly and properly
Brushing it’s the primary method of removing food build-up and dirt from your teeth. Therefore, dentists recommend that you do it twice a day, mainly after breakfast and supper. While that is important, using the right brushing techniques helps even more.
Start by brushing the outer surfaces of your teeth with back and forth and side-side strokes, going from tooth to tooth to avoid missing any spots. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums to remove any trapped in food particles and plaque.
Then move to the inner surface of the teeth. Most people tend to skip that step because the inner side is hardly seen. However, food and plaque buildup on the inner side of your teeth is just as harmful as it is on the outer surface.
After that, brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth using gentle back and forth strokes because that is where food mostly gets stuck. Finally, brush your tongue. Your tongue carries odor-causing bacteria that, once neglected, leads to bad breath.
Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth gently for about 2 minutes. Over-brushing or using a lot of pressure could eventually cause erosion of your enamel, which makes your teeth appear yellow.
Use the right toothbrush
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and one whose size and shape fit your mouth and allows you to reach all the teeth in your mouth. Dentists recommend that you replace your toothbrush after 3-4 months.
However, you can replace it before that time if you notice that the bristled are frayed because they will not do such a good job then. You should also keep your toothbrush clean to avoid breeding any bacteria on or between the bristles.
Rinse your toothbrush with warm water after brushing, and don’t use any harsh disinfectants or cleaning solutions because those could make your toothbrush worse.
You should also not cover your toothbrush or store it in a covered and dark place because bacteria love breeding in such environments.
Floss twice a day
Brushing alone is not enough to remove the food particles and plaque stuck between your teeth that could cause cavities and gum disease. Use a clean and strong dental floss to get into those small and dark spaces between your teeth and remove all the particles.
Dental appointments twice a year
My dentist for years recommends scheduling dental appointment once every six months. During those visits, the dentists examine your dental health and address any dental issues you may have. They also spot serious conditions before they spread, which makes it easier to control.
You should also have your teeth professionally cleaned during some of those visits. Brushing and flossing help remove food and plaque build-up on the teeth, but over time, some factors could make your teeth discolor, and there might also be plaque and tartar on your teeth.
Use the right toothpaste
While dentists do not recommend specific toothpaste brands, they recommend that we use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps strengthen your enamel, which reduces the chance of tooth decay and cavities.
If you have children, do not let them use harsh and burning toothpaste because that may not only discourage them from brushing but also hurt their mouth and tongue.
If you have some oral problems like bleeding gums and sensitive teeth, inform your dentists. That helps them recommend the right toothpaste to help clean your teeth while not worsening your problem.
Dentists also recommend that you stay away from toothpaste that has natural abrasives as that could wear off your enamel. If you use mouthwash, read the ingredients well and ensure they do not have any burning ingredients like alcohol.
Wait before you brush
Dentists always tell us to brush after every meal. However, they recommend that you wait around 30 minutes after eating, especially if you ate or drank acidic foods and drinks.
That is because brushing immediately spreads the acid from the food and drinks throughout your mouth, weakening the enamel of all your teeth. Also, those substances weaken your enamel, and brushing immediately irritates it and might even cause breakage.
After eating or drinking anything during the day, dentists recommend that you rinse your mouth with warm water or chew gum. Rinsing your mouth helps remove excess food particles on the teeth.
Chewing gum promotes saliva production, which helps clean your mouth a little. It also helps prevent bad breath.
Eat healthily
Eating healthy is not only important for maintaining a healthy weight or avoiding cardiovascular diseases. It is also important for your dental health. Dentists recommend that you chew on hard and fresh vegetables like carrots because they make your teeth and jaw muscles strong.
They also recommend that you stay away from sugary, sticky, and chewy foods because they create a food environment for bacteria that cause cavities, tooth decay, and gum diseases. You should also stay away from acidic foods. They eat away your enamel and colored foods and drinks because they cause teeth discoloration.
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