Keeping your mouth clean includes taking safe care of your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth and gums ensure that you consume healthy food, and it is chewed properly to ensure healthy digestion. Therefore, a healthy mouth promotes good overall health, and it is essential to follow positive oral habits in order to maintain good oral health.
But what are the recommended practices that can help you have a healthy mouth? In this article, we’ll shed light on some of the most effective & dentists’ recommended tips to keep your mouth healthy and have a bright smile!
- Avoid Tooth Decay
Your teeth are covered with a hard outer coating called enamel for their protection. Every day as you consume food, a thin layer of bacteria known as dental plaque builds up around your teeth. The plaque can produce acids that can harm enamel and lead to cavities. The best solution to prevent tooth decay is brushing and flossing regularly. But in case of a cavity, you need to visit the dentist to get them filled.
Using fluoride toothpaste can also prevent tooth decay. In case you have a dry mouth due to some reason, you might need more fluoride. Your dentist may suggest a fluoride treatment or recommend using fluoride gel or mouth rinse regularly.
- Beware of Gum Disease
When plaque builds up along and enters your gum line, it might lead to the initial stage of gum disease. Plaque directly impacts the gum by causing infection and affecting the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place. In case your gums are red, stinky or bleeding, mild gum disease is most likely the reason. This problem is also known as gingivitis which can be treated by regular brushing and flossing.
Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease that must be treated by a dentist on high priority. If left untreated, this infection can further lead to sore bleeding gums, painful chewing issues and tooth loss as well.
Follow these simple tips to prevent gum disease:
- Brush regularly at least twice a day
- Flossing daily
- Make sure to visit your dentist for regular checkups and dental exams
- Have a healthy diet
- Avoid smoking as it increases the risk of gum disease
- Brushing and Flossing: The Right Way
Just brushing regularly isn’t enough, there’s a right way to brush and floss your teeth for best results.
Follow this simple guide on how to brush and floss your teeth:
- Use a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste. Ensure you replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
- Small circular motion and short back-and-forth strokes while brushing is important.
- Carefully brush along your gum line as well.
- Use a tongue scraper and lightly brush your tongue to keep your mouth clean.
- Use dental floss to clean between your teeth to remove plaque and leftover food in areas the toothbrush can’t reach.
- Make sure to rinse after you’re done flossing.
- Use Dentures
Dentures or false teeth can be used to replace damaged or lost teeth because of gum disease. Dentures might feel uncomfortable at first and you might find difficulty chewing food for the first few weeks. Over time, you get used to dentures.
While learning to eat with dentures, follow these steps:
- Start with non-sticky and soft food
- Have your food by cutting it into small pieces
- Prefer slow chewing and use both sides of your mouth
Also, ensure that your dentures are clean and free from food that can lead to stains or bad breath. Take proper care of your dentures to keep your mouth healthy.
- Dry Mouth Issues
Having a dry mouth occurs when you don’t have enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. A dry mouth can make it difficult for you to eat, swallow, taste and, even speak. It can also increase the risks of tooth decay or fungal infections and lead to cavities as well. Common medicines that can lead to dry mouth include medicines for high blood pressure, bladder control issues, etc.
To avoid such dry mouth problems, you can try several remedies. Sipping water or sugarless drinks, avoid smoking, alcohol and acidic fruit juices. Sugarless candies or gums may prove to be helpful.
- Risks of Oral Cancer
Regular dental checkups are essential to avoid any risk of oral cancer. Oral cancer can occur in any part of the mouth including your tongue. Early signs of oral cancer are likely to get ignored if you avoid visiting the dentist as they don’t cause any pain. Oral treatments work the best before the disease spreads more. Even in case you’ve lost all your teeth, you should prefer to visit the dentist regularly to avoid any harmful effects of oral cancer.
Some ways to reduce the risks of oral cancer are:
- Avoid using tobacco products
- Lower the consumption of alcohol
- Use a lip balm with sunscreen
Having healthy gums and teeth is essential for your overall health. Dental care is often ignored until people feel any pain in their teeth or gums, this also leads to loss of teeth due to delays in treatments. Make sure you prioritise your daily oral care through brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly. We hope that these tips prove to help keep your mouth healthy!
Need expert assistance from an experienced dentist on how to keep your mouth clean or get a regular dental checkup? King Street Dental provides pain-free, safe and professional dental care services to ensure your good oral health. Book an appointment today!