Healthy Teeth: 6 Strategies for Better Dental Health
By: RebootPoint_employee | Published: February 12, 2024
Photo by Alex Padurariu
We use our mouths for important functions such as eating and speaking, which is why you should maintain good oral hygiene because it can have a big impact on your general health. Cleaning your teeth twice a day is effective, but there are some things you can do and some things you should avoid doing if you want to improve your teeth and gum health. We’ve compiled a list of things you should do and stay away from to help improve the condition of your teeth.
The importance of cleaning your teeth
Oral hygiene and cleaning your teeth are important because they help to avoid dental disorders, improve general health, give cosmetic advantages, and empower people to take an active role in their oral care. These behaviors not only help to keep your smile healthy, but they also help you live a better and more confident life.
Cavity Avoidance: Brushing and flossing remove food particles and plaque from your teeth, lowering your risk of cavities. Fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash fortify tooth enamel and make it more resistant to decay.
Clean Breath: Good oral hygiene techniques help prevent bad breath by removing odor-causing microorganisms and keeping the mouth clean.
Plaque Prevention: Plaque is a sticky coating of germs that grows on teeth all the time. If it is not removed regularly by brushing and flossing, it can harden into tartar, causing gum disease and cavities.
Gum Disease Avoidance: Oral hygiene is important for preventing gum disease. Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) can progress to periodontitis (severe gum disease), which can result in tooth loss and have an impact on general health.
Use an electric toothbrush
Dentists recommend using an electric toothbrush over an ordinary toothbrush because it removes more plaque and cleans your teeth more thoroughly. Electric toothbrushes will do most of the work and have been proven to clean your gums better and prevent tooth decay. Yes, an electric toothbrush is more expensive than a traditional brush, but consider it an investment. Electric toothbrushes are often made of higher-quality materials and will last far longer than a standard toothbrush.
Oscillating motion: Compared to manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes with centered or oscillating brush heads have the potential to remove plaque more effectively. The automatic motions assist in removing plaque from the gums and teeth.
Changeable brush heads: The majority of electric toothbrushes include changeable brush heads, despite having electronic toothbrush handles. Compared to throwing away a whole manual toothbrush, this lessens the waste from plastic. The long-term advantages and improvements in dental health may exceed the initial expenditures, even if they can be greater.
Pressure sensors: Some electric toothbrush types include pressure sensors built in to warn consumers when they are brushing too vigorously. This lessens the chance of gum recession and enamel loss by preventing overly vigorous brushing.
Should you use mouthwash?
One thing to remember is that mouthwash should not be used daily and is not required if you have healthy oral hygiene. Don’t use mouthwash directly after you’ve brushed since this can eliminate the fluoride that was applied to your teeth after you brushed them. Fluoride acts as a layer of protection for your teeth, which is why you shouldn’t rinse your mouth with anything after you’ve brushed them.
Bacterial reduction: Mouthwash’s antibacterial ingredients work to lower the mouth’s total bacterial burden. Focusing on the germs that cause gum disease, plaque, and foul breath, can help promote improved oral hygiene.
Portable and quick solution: Mouthwash is a quick and portable option for maintaining dental health when brushing or flossing is not practicable. People with hectic schedules or those who are constantly on the go may find it really helpful.
Flossing before or after brushing your teeth?
Flossing eliminates plaque or food that has become lodged between your teeth and cannot be removed with a toothbrush. Flossing is an excellent way to keep your mouth clean, and you should floss before brushing your teeth. This will eliminate any debris between your teeth and gums, allowing fluoride to seep into those areas.
Water flosser
A water flosser is a device that is used by dentists to remove plaque from your teeth by using water and a fast-oscillating metal tip. A water flosser should be used BEFORE brushing your teeth since the water can remove the fluoride from the toothpaste on your teeth, which is not desirable because fluoride works as a protective coating.
Brushing teeth before or after breakfast?
Depending on lifestyle and personal inclination, one may choose to brush before or after breakfast. The need to maintain regular dental checkups, flossing, and twice-daily brushing routines is something that dentists frequently stress. To find the ideal oral hygiene regimen based on unique dental health needs, it may be helpful to speak with a dentist.
Brushing BEFORE breakfast:
Brushing your teeth before eating anything will help to maintain your teeth. This is because your mouth is packed with bacteria when you wake up, and eating something before brushing your teeth causes the microorganisms to produce more plaque, bacteria, and acidic byproducts. You can chew sugar-free gum after breakfast to keep your mouth fresh.
Brushing AFTER breakfast:
Brushing after breakfast helps lessen the effects of the acidic meals and liquids that were ingested. Brushing right away after eating acidic food, however, might be harmful since it can erode enamel by spreading acids.
- Freshens breath: Especially if strong-smelling or flavored items were consumed, brushing your teeth after breakfast will leave you feeling refreshed.
- Stain prevention: Brushing your teeth right away after eating will help stop the accumulation of stains from meals and drinks that contain color.
Taking into account:
- When to brush: If you brush before breakfast, wait at least half an hour after eating to avoid brushing right away since acidic meals might cause enamel to weaken.
- Gently brush: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle brushing method to prevent damage to enamel, regardless of the time you choose.
You should eat less frequently
If you eat often during the day, your mouth does not have time to neutralize these acids, increasing your risk of tooth decay. However, eating fewer meals and snacks throughout the day allows your mouth to recuperate and create saliva, which helps neutralize acids and remineralize your teeth. This doesn’t mean that you should eat less food but rather eat less frequently. It is recommended that you don’t have more than 5 eating episodes a day. Bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugars and carbohydrates in your food while you chew, producing acids that can harm your teeth over time.
Chew sugar-free gum
Chewing sugar-free gum can help avoid bad breath while also improving your dental health. Sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, which can help to reduce acidity in the mouth and prevent tooth decay. Some brands also include fluoride in their gum, which means it can assist in strengthening your teeth while you chew it.
Removes food: Chewing gum can be used as an additional technique to clean the gums and teeth’s surfaces. It helps loosen food particles, dirt, and plaque, particularly in hard-to-reach places for consistent brushing and flossing.
Better breath: Chewing sugar-free gum that contains xylitol or mint, two breath-freshening substances, works well to conceal foul breath. It offers a simple and quick fix for fresh breath, particularly after eating or in situations when brushing isn’t possible right away.
Moisturizing effect: By boosting saliva production, sugar-free gum helps relieve dry mouth symptoms. The moisturizing action helps reduce the pain that comes with dry mouth, which can be brought on by certain drugs or illnesses.
Limit sugary and acidic foods
Minimize your consumption of sugary and acidic foods and beverages, such as sodas and candies- These foods can contribute to several dental conditions, such as gum disease, cavities, and enamel erosion.
Sugar: Candies, sodas, and other sugary foods and drinks are major contributors to tooth damage. The bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugars when you eat sweet foods, and as a result, the bacteria make acids. Your teeth’s protective enamel may be eroded by these products over time, which may result in cavities and dental caries.
Acid: Tooth enamel can be immediately eroded by acidic meals and beverages such as citrus fruits, dressings made of vinegar, and carbonated beverages. Your teeth’s enamel, the sturdy outer layer that guards against damage, is present. The enamel is weakened by frequent acidic meals, which increases the risk of decay and damage to your teeth.
Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol can stimulate saliva production, which helps neutralize acids and strengthen enamel.