Going to the dentist can be daunting, you never know what is going to happen when you sit in that chair and say “ahhh”. But there isn’t a need to be worried, or even afraid if you take proper care of your oral health at home.
Here are seven tips you can do to improve dental care at home.
1. Brush up on your brushing technique:
Just because you brush your teeth, doesn’t mean you are always doing right. You may think the more you brush the better, but that would be false. Brushing too much or too hard can badly reflect on your gums. So, keep your brushing gentle and to twice a day. Though electric toothbrushes tend to be more expensive than your standard brush, they last longer since you can replace the heads and they do a more thorough job. However, not all electric toothbrushes are treated equally and it’s best to your research to see which are recommended most by professionals. And don’t forget your tongue! Your tongue can also collect germs to hinder your oral health.
2. Don’t forget about flossing:
Flossing is the best way to remove plaque and the other food particles between your teeth that brushing alone can’t get. It also stimulates the gums and helps to lower inflammation. Flossing once to twice a day should do the trick. There are different types of floss that make it easy for everyone to use.
3. Use mouthwash
Mouthwash is an easy-to-use technique to rid your mouth of acid, gets the hard-to-reach area around your gums, and even helps to re-mineralize teeth. There are different types of mouthwashes to work for everyone from those with sensitive teeth to children and beyond.
4. Drink more water
Water can sometimes be described as the solution to everything. In the case of your oral care, water is the best drink you can drink. You should drink water after every meal to wash out the negative effects of acidic foods. You don’t always have access to a toothbrush and toothpaste, but you almost always have access to water to swish out your mouth after eating, and even drinking, other things.
5. Limit certain foods and drinks
As much as we love soda, candy, fruit, coffee, and tea… the list could go on and on… they aren’t always great for our oral health. It’s best to limit your sugary and acidic food and drink intake. These foods can wear down tooth enamel and cause cavities. While no one wants to stop eating and drinking these foods completely, if you can cut down on these products and swish some water afterward, that extra step will help.
6. Cut the bad habits
Bad habits are just that, bad. They may be hard to cut out, but they are overall beneficial to your health, including oral health. These bad habits to cut are smoking, chewing on your nails or other items like pens, clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth, or even chewing gum. There are things you can do to try and prevent these habits, such as wearing a mouthguard or chewing sugar-free gum.
7. Schedule those dentist visits:
No matter how amazing you are with your oral care at home, it doesn’t mean you get to skip those dentist visits. Be sure to schedule your bi-annual dentist visits so you get a deep, professional clean and so the dentists can take a more thorough look at your teeth and gums to make sure everything is healthy and that there is no cause for concern.
While there are more things you can do to improve your oral healthcare at home, these seven will get you on the right path to get started. It’s also best to speak with your dentist to find out what works for you specifically. You should also make sure that your dentist is aware of any issues you may be concerned about.
