10 Tips to Improve Your Oral Health

Some people say that oral health is the window to overall health, and many of us tend to ignore simple dental tips that in the future can help us to avoid diseases, such as cavities, tooth loss, pain, or infections. That’s why we’d like to share with you some useful tips that will help you take care of your smile.

First, we need to clarify that oral health is not only about our teeth, it also involves our tongue, gums, eating habits, and more. By following the next tips you’ll be able to improve not only your smile but also your quality of life.

1. Brush your teeth.

This is the most basic step towards good oral health. The best dentists recommend that you should brush three times a day, one after each meal. To help prevent tooth decay, dentists advise using toothpaste with fluoride, which is a chemical that helps make teeth more resistant to acid, sugars, and bacteria.

2. Floss your teeth.

Brushing our teeth is basic, but we recommend all of our patients use dental floss at least once a day, preferably before bedtime. This will remove all the particles that got stuck between teeth all day. By doing this, we help fight cavities from creating and to keep a fresh breath.

3.    Visit your dentist regularly.

It’s recommendable to visit your dentist at least every six months, which is something you need to do if you want to maintain your mouth in a healthy state. Your dentist can help you with basic cleaning and to find out if you have any other issues that can be fixed by them.

Remember to do this especially if you´re over 35 years old, that’s when our teeth start losing strength and adding bad hygiene may end in tragic results for everybody. 

4.    Use Mouthwash.

Using mouthwash is also advisable to completely get rid of all the bacteria. You have many options, brands, and flavors to choose from, but you need to make sure you´re choosing the one you need.

5.    Decrease sugar intake.

Our mouths always have some bacteria in them, and it is fed from some particles of the sugar we ingest, which damage the protective layer of our teeth and this could create cavities. Sugary drinks are the most harmful due to the amount of sugar in them. Take them with moderation, now that you know what they can do.

6.    Eat fruits and vegetables.

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is one common saying that also applies to dentists. Did you know apples are also known as the toothbrush of nature? Yes, this is because chewing apples can help you clean your teeth and avoid cavities. But in case you don´t feel like eating anything sweet, carrots are another option. Crunchy foods help the gums as they stimulate them and also fight cavities.

Citrus and vegetables help your oral health because they are rich in vitamins and minerals that are needed to fight dental decay. With these last two points, we prove that when we eat healthier our complete body feels good.

7.    Change your toothbrush.

The instrument you use to clean can also help bacteria to accumulate and slowly deteriorate. That’s why after three months of use it’s advised that you change your toothbrush.   

8.    Stop smoking.

Smoking can cause bad breath and tooth discoloration, and as you may know, it could lead to mouth and lung cancer. Smoking weakens your teeth and can infect your gums, that´s why a smoker is most likely to develop infections in their mouth. Also, it lowers the success rate of dental implant procedures.

9.    Don´t forget about your gums.

Flossing and brushing are the easiest way to keep them in a good state. We can´t forget that gums are there too and they need attention. There is a correct way to brush your teeth, but if you think the one you have works, just make sure it also covers your gum area.

If you’d like to have more information about Proper Teeth Brushing, click on the link to read our previous post where you’ll find some useful tips.

10.    Coffee = Yellow Teeth.

Unfortunately, coffee can have some negative effects on your teeth, and it’s very important that we point this out. Coffee is an acid drink, and all acids tend to wear out the enamel in your teeth. Over time, this will not only affect the appearance of your teeth but also it could lead to tooth decay.

Your tooth enamel contains microscopic pits and ridges that can hold particles of food and drink. Dark-colored drinks can become embedded in those cracks and ridges and, if the proper care is not taken it could cause yellow stains on your teeth. So, brush your teeth as soon as you finish your drink, so you don´t give the coffee time to stain your teeth.

We’re sure that with the 10 tips below, you’ll be able to improve the quality of your smile. Sani Dental Group is always at your disposal, if you have any questions call us to make an appointment and one of our patient coordinators will help you to solve any doubts or concerns.

Sani Dental Group has more than 30 dentists that will take excellent care of you and your oral health. Learn more about the treatments you can get. Give us a call, we’ll be glad to assist you.