- See your dentist
- Brush your teeth properly
- and then your tongue
- Use a fluoride toothpaste
- Floss your teeth
- Mouthwash
A good oral and dental hygiene plays an important role in our lives. Poor oral health can lead to negative consequences for our entire body, as your mouth and body are strictly connected. Any bacteria that forms in the mouth can easily get into the bloodstream, causing infection and inflammation of the blood vessels.
The immune system works to attack the infection, and that’s when gums become inflamed. A healthy smile improves not only the health of your mouth and body, but can really transform our appearance, social lives, relationships, and self-confidence.
Here some tips on how to look after your teeth and mouth in order to avoid serious risk to the body’s overall health.
Visit a dentist twice a year
Getting your teeth professionally cleaned is crucial in keeping your mouth clean, avoiding any tartar or plaque build-up. Try not to delay regular check-ups and visit your dentist if you experience toothache or bleeding gums.
You may also visit a dental hygienist, who is specially trained to provide dental health education, remove plaque and calculus by scaling and polishing teeth, as well as treating and helping to prevent gum disease.
Brush your teeth properly
During the day germs and food particles collect in the mouth, building up bacteria on teeth and gums. This is why taking the right time to brush your teeth –at least twice a day, is a key step in maintaining a healthy smile and prevent any serious health issue. The best time to brush your teeth is generally after every meal, and make sure you reach every single tooth, even the ones at the back. Choosing a toothbrush with a small head can help with this.
Don’t forget your tongue
Your tongue is covered with bacteria, and rinsing it with water is not enough. To get rid of halitosis and bad breath you need to brush your tongue properly as bacteria may collect easily on the surface, as well as food particles. Treating bad breath by brushing your tongue regularly every day can impact on your overall oral health by removing bacteria, improving the appearance of your tongue (taking away that white layer we are all familiar with) and reducing bad breath.
Use a fluoride toothpaste
According to NHS, brushing your teeth thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways of preventing tooth decay, as it helps to reduce the demineralization process. Using a fluoride toothpaste works by fighting the germs that can lead to decay, as well as providing a protective barrier for the teeth.
Flossing
Floss your teeth once a day and make sure to floss the teeth at the back of your mouth too. Flossing is as important as brushing. There are many options you can choose from: dental flossers and toothpicks to interdental brushes and electrical flossing devices. If you do not floss properly (or you do not floss at all), you won’t be able to remove dental plaque build-up and it will be easier to develop dental issues such as gingivitis and painful cavities.
Use a mouthwash
The mouthwash is an effective tool to fight germs, gingivitis, and plaque build-up as well as helping to promote healthy teeth and gums. Although most people use mouthwash at the end of the cleaning process, this can also be used even before as it will remove any loose particles in your mouth, making your brushing and flossing more effective.
If you regularly brush, floss, and use mouthwash, you will be able to keep your mouth healthy and clean. If you wish to know how to achieve optimum oral health, we recommend that you speak to one of the specialists at the Premium Dental Hygiene Clinic, your dentist or hygienist, who are specially trained to provide oral health education and advice.