Best Oral Care Practices To Have A Healthy Smile

Do you know the effects of poor oral care can affect not your mouth alone but your body as well? Good oral health is important to your overall physical health. The effects of poor oral care include tooth decay, cavities, oral infections, bad breath, a dry mouth, red, swollen, or bleeding gums, and chronic bad breath. All of these symptoms can lead to serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Best Oral Care Practices To Have A Healthy Smile

If you want to avoid dental problems and keep your smile healthy, you need to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Besides, it is also important to follow the below-given practices that can improve oral health.

• Brushing your teeth at least twice a day

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is vital for your oral health. Brushing removes the plaque and bacteria that form on your teeth. It’s recommended that you brush your teeth after each meal, but at least twice a day. Brushing should last for at least two minutes each time you do it. Brushing too hard or too aggressively can harm your teeth and gums. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with toothpaste that contains fluoride.

• Flossing at least once a day

Brushing your teeth twice a day is important, but alone, it may not be enough. Flossing removes plaque from your teeth and gums. If you don’t floss, plaque can harden into tartar, which will make tooth decay more likely. Flossing also helps prevent gum disease, which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Plaque is a sticky substance that accumulates on your teeth. When left on the teeth, it will cause cavities and gum irritation. Plaque forms on your teeth within two hours after you eat, and it can continue to form for up to 24 hours.

• Regular dental checkups

While many people brush and floss their teeth every day, there are still a large number of people who avoid the dentist’s office because of fear or anxiety. However, your dentist is trained to work with patients who are nervous and to help them feel as comfortable and safe as possible. So, visit your dentist for regular dental checkups at least once every six months. 

• Avoiding sugary drinks and foods

Consuming a healthy diet is important as the foods and drinks that we enjoy eating every day can play a big role in damaging our teeth and gums. Consume a lot of fruits and veggies, drink more water, and limit your intake of sugary and starchy foods and beverages.

• Quitting smoking and using tobacco products

Many Americans enjoy smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products. However, smoking and using tobacco products have negative effects on your oral health. Tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer are just a few of the dental issues you can develop if you smoke or use tobacco products. Dentists recommend quitting smoking and using tobacco products.

• Using mouthguards when playing sports

Mouthguards can help protect your smile during sports and other physical activities. By acting as a physical barrier between your teeth and gums, mouthguards can prevent dental emergencies like chipped teeth, knocked-out teeth, and broken teeth.

Visit Kevin D Fong DDS at 944 W Winton Ave, Hayward, CA 94545 to learn more about oral care. You can also call (510) 783-1572 for an appointment.