A perfectly healthy set of teeth and gums is an ultimate desire of many. However, bright and healthy teeth require regular nurturing and care. Failure to maintain the health of your teeth and gums can leave them susceptible to a host of problems like gum disease, tooth sensitivity, toot loss, cavities, and gum recession.
While brushing is that first thing that comes to mind when we talk about dental health, good oral hygiene goes beyond that. Let’s discuss some dentist-recommended tips and suggestions for bright and healthy teeth in this article.
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Dentist-recommended tips to bright and healthy teeth
Here are some best-practices that dentists believe can help you maintain the health of your teeth and gums:
1. Brush your teeth regularly
Brushing regularly is the cornerstone of dental health. If you wish to have pearly white teeth and prevent dental health issues, brushing your teeth is paramount. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes using a soft bristle tooth brush.
Place your brush at a 45-degree angle and use short, gentle strokes in a circular motion to brush your teeth. Avoid brushing too hard or for too long.
2. Do not forget to floss:
While brushing is fundamental to healthy teeth and gums, the benefits of flossing cannot be ignored. Flossing can help clean the tiny gaps between your teeth where food particles tend to get stuck.
Cleaning the gaps between your teeth can help ensure they stay healthy while preventing cavities and other dental issues. You should aim to floss your teeth at least once a day according to Dr. Sienna Palmer, DDS at Meridien Dental.
3. Visit your dentist
Regular dental checkups are a great way to assess your oral health and address potential issues. When you go to the dentist, they will assess the health of your teeth and gums and recommend treatments such as scaling and polishing, cleanings, etc.
These treatments can help you avoid potential dental problems in future. As a rule of thumb, you should visit your dentist twice a year or once every six months.
4. Limit intake of sugary foods and beverages
Excess consumption of sugary foods and beverages can adversely affect your teeth and gums leading to cavities, plaque buildup, and sensitivity issues.
Dentists recommend opting for a well-balanced diet to promote healthy teeth and gums while letting go of sugary cravings for colas, chocolates, and candies.
So for someone with a sweet tooth, it is best to reduce the quantity of sweets and desserts you add to your diet for optimal oral health.
5. Using a good quality fluoride toothpaste
Dentists believe brushing your teeth everyday with fluoride-based toothpaste is the best way to enhance oral health.
If you are looking for product recommendations, a dentist-recommended toothpaste such as Sensodyne is a great option to go for. It helps keep your teeth clean, freshens breath, and prevents sensitivity issues.
6. Clean your tongue
Tongue cleaning is an often neglected but important part of any good dental health routine. Not cleaning your tongue effectively can lead to several issues such as bad breath (halitosis), and altered taste. Use a tongue scraper to firmly but gently clean your tongue and rinsing it off with water after each stroke.
7. Mouthwash for effective cleaning
A mouthwash can help support overall oral hygiene by killing bacteria that remain inside the mouth even after proper brushing and flossing. “As an addition to brushing and interdental cleaning, we would recommend the use of an effective antimicrobial mouthwash,” says Dr. Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation.
Conclusion
Maintaining the health of your teeth and gums is a journey that takes time and effort but can be incredibly rewarding in the long run. If you are concerned about deteriorating dental health, follow the dentist-recommended tips above. You can also visit a dentist for a more in-depth evaluation.
