4 Ways to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

Jul 17, 2020

Proper oral hygiene is fundamental to maintaining good dental health. Taking proper care of your teeth and gums now means you are less likely to experience unpleasant dental issues in the future. Luckily, looking after your oral health is not particularly time-consuming and you can easily incorporate good dental habits into your daily routine. On that note, here are four ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day

One of the key ways to maintain a healthy mouth is by brushing your teeth to remove food and bacteria. Dental experts recommend brushing your teeth twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening before you go to bed. This will remove plaque from the surface of your teeth and keep your mouth clean and fresh.

If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, then plaque and bacteria can cause damage to your teeth and lead to dental problems such as decay and cavities. According to drania.com, brushing also stimulates gums which helps to prevent gum disease. You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes and use the proper brushing technique. Avoid brushing your teeth too vigorously or you risk irritating your gums and causing enamel wear and tooth sensitivity.

2. Use dental floss

Along with brushing, you should also floss your teeth to remove food particles and bacteria that your toothbrush cannot reach. Regular flossing should also improve your breath and give your smile a brighter appearance by removing plaque that is stuck in between your teeth.

This will keep your gums healthy and prevent conditions like gingivitis from developing. Everyone should make flossing part of their dental routine and use a dental grade floss once a day. It is recommended that you floss before brushing your teeth so that any dislodged food and bacteria are removed when you brush. There is a great selection of dental guides offering advice on the correct flossing technique.

3. Visit your dentist

You should visit your dentist at least twice a year to have your teeth and gums examined. Your dentist will assess the health of your mouth and give you advice on ways to improve your oral hygiene. A professional dentist will also be able to identify potential dental problems and offer treatment before you develop more serious issues. For example, your dentist may apply a sealant to early signs of tooth decay to prevent cavities from forming. Or, you may visit a dental crown specialist to have a crown fitted to help weak teeth recover and to prevent further damage.

4. Avoid too much sugar

Everyone knows that too much sugar can cause tooth cavities. This is because your mouth produces acid when you eat or drink something sugary and this destroys tooth enamel and leads to erosion and decay over time. For that reason, you should try to avoid having too much sugar in your diet. If you do eat or drink anything sugary, then brush your teeth straight after to remove bacteria and help keep your teeth and gums healthy.