When you smile, your teeth shine. Unfortunately, that’s not always enough to keep them clean. Your teeth are home to bacteria that can produce acids that damage the enamel and cause cavities. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do on a daily basis to help keep your smile beautiful and healthy. Keep reading for tips on how to improve your oral health for a better smile.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day
Brushing your teeth twice per day is a great way to remove plaque and prevent tooth decay. Brushing your teeth for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste will help prevent cavities and gum disease. If you don’t brush your teeth, plaque will gather on the surface of your teeth and turn into tartar. When tartar forms on your teeth, it alters the pH of your mouth. The change triggers bacterial growth that leads to cavities or gum disease.
Use fluoride toothpaste
Why is fluoride important for oral health? It helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening the tooth’s enamel. By strengthening the enamel, fluoride stops the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay. It also strengthens the gums and helps remove plaque from your teeth.
Floss every day
Flossing removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from between teeth. It’s important to do it daily, especially since it reduces the risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and tooth decay. If you don’t floss, plaque will build up between your teeth and eventually lead to tooth decay and gingivitis. You can use either waxed or unwaxed floss, but make sure you replace it regularly or you could develop cross-contamination, which is when different types of bacteria get into your mouth or get onto the remainder of your floss and cause an infection.
Drink plenty of water
Water is an essential component in oral health. It helps remove harmful bacteria in your mouth and improves the health of your gums. A dry mouth is a sign of a serious oral health issue. Constant dryness in the mouth can lead to bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. A healthy mouth requires a balance between too much water and not enough. Too much water can be damaging, while not enough water can lead to a host of oral health issues. A good rule of thumb is to drink half a cup of water every hour while you are awake. This will help you stay hydrated and prevent a dry mouth.
Don’t Smoke
If you smoke, you are more likely to experience gum disease, tooth decay, a receding gums, and bad breath. Smoking also increases your risk of developing oral cancers, including cancers in the mouth. If you want to keep your oral health in check, you need to stop smoking. There are many ways to quit smoking, including support from loved ones, medication, or hypnotherapy.
Eat A Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet can be a great way to keep your mouth and teeth healthy. Some healthy snacks that you can eat while you’re on the go are almonds, apples, oranges, carrots, and celery. Other healthy meals that you can try include vegetables with hummus, whole-grain cereal with skim milk, and lean proteins such as fish, chicken, and turkey. If you regularly eat a balanced diet, you are less likely to experience tooth decay and gum disease.
Conclusion
Keeping your mouth and teeth clean is essential for preventing gingivitis, tooth decay, and bad breath. Fortunately, there are many ways to clean your teeth that don’t require a lot of time or expensive products. By following these tips, you can avoid gum disease and tooth decay that can be harmful and expensive to fix. Book your appointment today, please call our office at
(604) 559-9955 or email us at
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