Oral hygiene is an essential part of daily life. It is one of the most critical pathways into our bodies, and if not maintained properly, this can lead to drastic consequences in the future. It could lead to tooth decay, bad breath, gum disease, mouth sores, and worse situations, leading to oral cancer. So it is in your best interest to keep your mouth healthy and clean. However, you don’t need to do anything fancy to keep your mouth clean. Most oral hygiene is simple and does not need a ridiculous amount to maintain. Here are some simple ways you can keep your mouth healthy:
Visit the Dentist When You Can
Before we get to it, it’s essential to know that no one else can maintain your teeth better than an experienced dentist. They are well-versed with the components of your oral hygiene, and they know which treatment can suit your mouth well. There are many oral health professionals, each specializing in different aspects of oral health. Generally, dentists are in charge of your overall health, but they will refer you to other professionals if you need additional treatments.
Daily Routine
It’s crucial that you first establish a daily routine and that you stick by this routine every time you wake up and go to sleep. Reward yourself whenever you can if you do your way perfectly to ensure that you don’t forget. You can reward yourself through various treats, but don’t overdo it! You might leave your mouth much healthier than before. Once you get used to your routine, you can stop the treats as your body will do it automatically.
Brush Properly
Indeed, many people nowadays brush their teeth. However, many aren’t doing it correctly. Here are some essentials when it comes to brushing.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Toothpaste now has many variations in the market. Many are concentrated on teeth whitening and gum healthy. However, regardless of these variations, you must choose fluoride toothpaste for proper mouth hygiene. Fluoride is the one that cleanses your mouth against unhealthy germs in your mouth. It also protects your teeth from tooth decay. The safest choice you can have is to go for original brands, Colgate and Crest.
Brush Your Tongue
Most people tend to neglect their tongue when it comes to brushing. However, by forgetting to brush your tongue, you’re leaving room for plaque to build up in your mouth. Be sure to brush both the top and bottom of your tongue so that you can cleanse it from plaque and other bad germs that may have entered your mouth.
Floss as Often as You Brush
When it comes to your routine, you should floss after you brush. Sometimes, your toothbrush may not reach the gaps within your teeth, and during these situations, only a string of floss can do it. Much like toothpaste, floss has various variations. You should choose the ones without a flavor since those might irritate the gums between your teeth. Also, don’t floss too hard because this can lead to cuts, leading to infections.
Use Mouthwash When You Can or Consider a Salt Water Gargle
Mouthwash is effective if you want to take the bad breath away from your mouth. It’s also great to do before a good night’s sleep. However, it should not replace brushing your teeth. This is because mouthwash only kills the bacteria in your mouth for a short period. It has been found that mouthwash only temporarily solves bad breath problems while brushing regularly can solve the problem entirely. If you have lesions or cuts in your teeth, it’s better to use salt water to cleanse your mouth from possible infection.
Avoid Sugary and Acidic Foods
Sugar and acid play a huge role in mouth hygiene, and both must be limited or avoided entirely if you are having some problems with your overall oral hygiene.
Both sugar and acid aren’t necessarily bad. In fact, your saliva is acidic to many organisms in the world. This helps with digesting food and killing harmful bacteria. However, too much of a good thing is bad. Sugar and acid are the main causes of tooth decay because they can take off the enamel and your teeth’ protective coating. Without these protective coating, your teeth will be exposed to all kinds of problems, which can be a painful and uncomfortable experience for you.
By following these tips, you can avoid plaque development in your mouth while keeping your breath fresh and clean. It will also help you treat different mouth problems that you might encounter in the future.
