9 Tips to Improve Your Oral Hygiene Routine

 

Taking good care of your teeth has a lot of benefits. It gives you the confidence to smile and allows you to enjoy food without reservations. However, oral hygiene is more than just taking good care of your teeth. Check out below these nine simple tips to improve your oral hygiene.

      1.  Brush Your Teeth Before Going to Bed

Brushing your teeth before going to sleep is always recommended by dentists. This allows you to remove the plaque and bacteria you’ve accumulated throughout the day, making sure you don’t leave them in your mouth overnight. This may result in various oral health problems. 

       2. Use the Proper Technique for Brushing Your Teeth

There is a proper technique for brushing your teeth. This is because your teeth have crevices and grooves where plaque, bacteria, and food can get stuck. Dentists recommend starting at the back of your teeth and moving towards the front while brushing. This includes using a vertical brushing movement in circular motion. 

       3. Do Not Brush too Often or too Long

Brushing your teeth too often doesn’t equate to good oral hygiene. Your tooth’s enamel is precious and irreparable, brushing too often could potentially damage your enamel. Brushing too long can also cause damage to your gums which is painful and could lead to other oral problems.

      4. Don’t Forget the Tongue

Your tongue can collect and store bacteria from the food you’ve eaten throughout the day. So aside from brushing your teeth, make sure you include cleaning your tongue for a complete oral hygiene routine.

     5.  Flossing is Equally Important as Brushing

If flossing isn’t part of your daily oral hygiene routine, it is recommended to begin today. Flossing allows you to reach the tight crevices between your teeth, remove plaque and tiny bits of food. Furthermore, it stimulates the gums and reduces the risks of cavities which promotes good health of your gums and teeth. 

     6.  Stop Tobacco Use

Tobacco use has a negative effect on good oral hygiene. Tobacco use not only stains your teeth, but also increases your risks of oral cancer. Tobacco use is the leading cause of oral cancer. To achieve good oral health and maintain overall health, it is recommended to stop using tobacco.

     7.  Examine Your Mouth Regularly

It is important to check your mouth regularly, especially for the buildup of plaque and cavities. You should also check your gums for sores and make sure your teeth are aligned properly. If you feel pain when you are eating, it’s a sign you need to follow tip #8.

     8.  Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Visiting your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and checkup is very important. This will help you avoid various oral problems and help you maintain good oral health. 

     9.  Be Mindful of What You Eat

What you eat will also determine how often you need to brush your teeth. Watch out for food that stains your teeth. Reduce your consumption of sugary and acidic foods which promotes plaque and cavities.