Tips for healthy teeth: 6 tips to keep your teeth healthy in 2022
If you want tips for healthy teeth and gums, a dentist is the best person to ask. Your dentist recommends brushing twice and flossing and rinsing once per day. But what else can you do to support your dental health?
See the top six tips for healthy teeth and how to maintain optimal oral health. Find out if you are following the proper technique during your brushing routine. And learn which of your habits are the worst for your teeth and gums.
Top 6 Tips for Healthy Teeth in 2022: How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Every tip for healthy teeth essentially comes down to one thing: plaque. When you practice good oral hygiene, you remove plaque from your teeth and gums and prevent harmful bacteria from causing infections, tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Plaque also hardens into tartar over time and discolors your teeth.
These six tips are essential guidelines to follow during your dental hygiene routine and throughout your daily life:
- Limit Your Sugar Consumption
- Quit Using Tobacco and Avoid Alcohol
- Floss Once a Day
- Brush Twice a Day
- Rinse with Mouthwash Once a Day
- Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
#1. Limit Your Sugar Consumption
Sugar-filled foods and drinks increase the amount of plaque on your teeth. Plaque is a bacterium that feeds on sugar and produces acid that erodes the enamel on your teeth. Once your enamel is depleted, the bacteria attack your gums and cause cavities, infections, and gum disease.
After you eat or drink something high in sugar, make an effort to floss and brush your teeth to remove the sugary film that coats your teeth and makes them feel rough and gritty. When you go grocery shopping, be aware of the sugar content in ingredients and adjust your diet and dental routine to avoid sugar.
#2. Quit Using Tobacco and Avoid Alcohol
Smoking is destructive to your oral and overall health because it helps plaque become hard tarter, leading to gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth loss. Both smoking and drinking alcohol are detrimental to your teeth and gums because they dry out your mouth and cause you to produce less saliva. Saliva washes away plaque, and a dry mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria to thrive.
#3. Floss at Least Once a Day
Flossing is an essential step in your dental hygiene routine because flossing prepares the teeth for brushing. Plaque lies between your teeth and under the gumline, which floss removes. If you brush before flossing, your brush bristles can’t reach the crevices of your teeth that are covered with plaque.
#4. Brush Twice a Day
If you currently only brush once a day, start brushing twice—in the morning and before bed. The best way to limit plaque buildup on your teeth and gums is to floss and brush after every meal. Your toothbrush and floss are the most important weapons in your arsenal to fight cavities, gum recession, and other oral health issues. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes, scrubbing each tooth in a gentle circular motion.
#5. Rinse with Mouthwash Once a Day
Using mouthwash fights cavities, bad breath, and plaque while giving your teeth a boost of fluoride. Be sure to wait at least five minutes after brushing your teeth to rinse with mouthwash so the fluoride in your toothpaste has a chance to coat the teeth.
Do not rinse your mouth with mouthwash before brushing because the acidity of the mouthwash temporarily softens the enamel on your teeth and makes them vulnerable to abrasion. When you rinse, ensure the mouthwash makes contact with your teeth for at least thirty seconds to a full minute.
#6. Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
Your dentist recommends coming into the office for a dental examination and teeth cleaning at least every six months. Dental teeth cleaning removes the hard-to-reach plaque and tartar hiding below the gum line where you can’t reach with your toothbrush. No matter how diligently you follow your at-home dental hygiene routine, there is no substitute for a professional cleaning.
What else can you do to maintain healthy teeth and gums?
Ask your dentist about a dental sealant if your teeth have grooves that quickly develop plaque and tarter. Dental sealants fill in the grooves and irregularities in your teeth to prevent plaque from accumulating and causing tooth decay. Dental sealants are like a coat of armor for your teeth.
Your dentist is an ally in your battle for good dental health. Use your dentist as a resource and ask what more you can do to maintain optimal oral health. Call our office at Charlotte Dentist Office Phone Number 704-378-6591 to schedule your dental consultation today and discover more tips for healthy teeth.