Good oral hygiene habits are important for your teeth and gums as well as your overall health. Here are a few tips for maintaining good oral health:
- Brushing & flossing regularly
Brushing and flossing form the foundation of good oral hygiene. Twice a day, you should brush your teeth for about two minutes at a time so that you can ensure that every surface of your teeth is clean. You should also floss once a day to remove any food particles and plaque from between your teeth. Using the right toothbrush and floss can help you prevent oral health issues. For example, an electric toothbrush can help ensure that your teeth are getting the thorough cleaning they need when you brush. Floss should fit easily between your teeth and be soft to help it glide past your gums.
You should rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after every use and store it upright or in a covered container so that it does not become contaminated or dry out. This is to prevent bacteria from building up on the bristles of your toothbrush. You should also change your toothbrush or the head of your electric toothbrush every three months.
- Regular dental visits
You should also visit your dentist every six months for an oral exam and cleaning. During these appointments, we will thoroughly clean your teeth to remove any unsightly stains or buildup that you may have missed while brushing. We will also use special tools to scrape away tartar from spots that your brush cannot access. This will prevent cavities and future tooth loss. In addition to giving you professional tooth cleaning, a dentist can also look for signs of oral diseases, such as gum disease, oral cancer, tooth decay, and more. Visiting the dentist twice a year can greatly reduce your risk of developing these serious health issues.
Your dentist can also diagnose any other problems that you may have with your oral health and help you come up with a treatment plan to keep your smile healthy.
- Eating a proper diet
When you shop for food, look for items that are low in sugar and high in fiber. Staying hydrated is also essential; drinking plenty of water helps your body cleanse toxins and bacteria from your mouth. Remember to avoid sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda, sports drinks, or juice, which can actually promote tooth decay by feeding the oral bacteria in your mouth. When you do eat sugary foods, try to eat them with your meal instead of by themselves, and rinse your mouth afterward. This will limit the amount of time that your teeth are exposed to the sugars.
- Avoiding tobacco use
Tobacco use is a primary risk factor for oral cancer, lung cancer, and many other serious health conditions. In fact, smoking and tobacco use in any form is the single largest preventable causes of disease and death in the United States—more than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders, suicides, and fires combined! Smoking can also lead to poor oral health. Smokers are more likely to have gum disease and tooth decay than non-smokers. Using tobacco products of any kind also stains teeth, causing yellow or brown spots on the enamel. The risk of these health issues can be significantly reduced if the patient quits using tobacco products. Patients should talk to their dentist about how to quit using tobacco products and how to prevent further damage to their teeth and gums.
At Coeur D’Alene Family Dentistry, we strive to provide each of our patients with a positive and relaxing experience. If you’re ready to experience the best dental care, please contact us at 2201 N Government Way G, Coeur D’Alene, ID 83814. For an appointment, call (208) 664 – 9129 or email us at [email protected].
