What’s your oral hygiene routine like? Would you say you try your best to keep your teeth clean? Or would you say you do the bare minimum? For some of us, we lack the inspiration to practice a thorough oral hygiene routine, especially when we don’t view it as a top priority. But the truth is, oral hygiene should always be one of your top priorities, and so should maintaining regular oral hygiene cleanings near you. Why?
You may think there won’t be any implications from skipping a couple of nights of brushing and flossing. But what about when these few nights turn into a few weeks and suddenly you notice you’ve formed a longstanding bad habit. Not only could this result in a few large cavities, but it could also cause gum disease.
We’ve put together a list of essential tips you should follow to achieve good oral hygiene and a healthier mouth. Remember, your oral health and general health are connected.
- Use the Right Toothbrush
Take a look at the toothbrush you’re using. We often forget just how important this tool is, after all, we use it multiple times per day. Your toothbrush should be soft so that you can gently brush your teeth without experiencing any discomfort. Also, the bristles should be round and crisscross so that you can reach the minuscule creases and crevices between your teeth where stubborn plaque likes to hide. In addition, because this style of toothbrush has a larger surface area, you can brush away plaque stuck onto your teeth.
- Floss Regularly
Once you accept flossing as part of your daily oral routine, it will no longer be the tedious task you avoided. Flossing serves a unique function, that brushing can’t fulfill. It removes food particles lodged between your teeth. Imagine going to bed and having food pieces stuck in between your teeth… doesn’t sound very pleasant, does it? Not to mention it can cause your breath to smell rather funky. Your mouth isn’t a compost bin so don’t treat it like one.
- Brush Twice Daily
How often do you brush your teeth? Be honest when you answer this question. Was your answer “once when I wake up and once before I sleep”? If so then you’re doing pretty good when it comes to cleaning your teeth. If your answer was once a day… then you’ll need to make it a habit to at least brush when you wake up and before you jump into bed if you’re trying to prevent cavities and other oral issues.
- Use a Mouthwash
Although our teeth are the first thing others notice about our smile, they only make up 25% of our mouth. Often times, we forget about our tongue, palate (roof of the mouth) and gums. You’ll always want to remove bacteria so that plaque won’t have the opportunity to form. Using a mouthwash can help. If you’re not comfortable with an over-the-counter mouthwash, you can make your own using salt.
- Limit Your Soft Drink Consumption
Many people love a cold glass of coca cola, especially on a hot summers day. Even though you probably know it isn’t good for your health, have you ever seriously considered how much sugar is in pop? Consuming pop regularly can cause plaque buildup and in turn, cause gum disease. Not to mention, pop is extremely acidic and can erode tooth enamel.
- Quit Smoking
Smoking has been linked to gum disease and a number of other diseases like cancer. In addition, smoking can cause tooth discolouration and gum erosion. Doesn’t sound too fun, does it? As a smoker, you are also more likely to experience calculus, deep pockets between your teeth and gums and loss of bone and supporting tissues. If you’re considering quitting, be sure to also take into account your oral health.
- Visit your Aspen Dental Clinic
You should always schedule oral hygiene cleanings in Calgary every 6 months. During your appointment at a dental clinic near you, your dentist can detect any oral issues and provide necessary treatment. While you’re there, a dental hygienist will scale and polish your teeth to boost your oral hygiene and freshen your breath.