Be Consistent Day And Night

A general rule of thumb recommended by most dentists is to brush your teeth at least two times a day. Many of us make a mistake of forgetting to brush our teeth before we crawl into bed. While skipping brushing at any time can affect us, it becomes more impactful when we forgo it before bed. Think about how much food you eat throughout the day. Plaque buildup is more likely to develop should we skip our nighttime brushing routine. In addition, make sure you set a timer. Brush for a minimum of two minutes.

It’s Not Just Brushing

Having a nice set of white teeth with healthy gums don’t happen with brushing alone. In the morning, make a habit to use mouthwash in coordination with brushing. Using mouthwash can get hard to reach germs and plaque that we might have missed while brushing our teeth. Rinse vigorously for at least 30 seconds to prevent gingivitis. During the night, you’ll brush, rinse, and use dental floss as well. Using floss can be easily overlooked because it does take some extra effort. Did you know flossing can be a great choice for your gums because it reduces inflammation? It is also a way to limit the amount of plaque buildup in your mouth. Flossing has also been shown to be beneficial to other aspects of our health, like keeping our arteries protected. Make it part of your daily bruising routine. To summarize, a superior brushing habit will look like this:

Morning- Brush your teeth followed by rinsing with mouthwash. As mentioned earlier, aim for a minimum of two minutes while you are brushing your teeth.
Evening- Brush your teeth, use mouthwash, and finish with flossing.

Be sure to change your toothbrush every three to four months. This will prevent your brush from building up with bacteria. A worn toothbrush will also be less effective because the bristles won’t be able to clean as thoroughly.

Be Aware Of The Foods You Eat Daily

A healthy set of teeth and gums can also be contingent upon the food we are eating on a daily basis. Did you know that certain types of food can be detrimental to our mouths? You don’t need to completely avoid these foods or drinks, but it would be wise to consume them in moderation.

Acidic Foods– If you love the occasional lemon-squirt poured into your water, it won’t affect your mouth too much. Be aware that excessive intake of acidic foods or drinks has been shown to erode enamels over time. In addition, they can give you sores inside your mouth.
Sugary Drinks– Soda and sports drinks have been shown to cause erosion of the teeth.
Sticky Foods– Foods like candy or caramel, for example, are more difficult to remove from our teeth.
Ice– Many people have a poor habit of chewing on ice, but be careful because it can cause your teeth to chip or crack.

Cessation Of Tobacco Products

Smoking cigarettes or using chew tobacco has no advantages when it comes to your mouth. To begin, smoking cigarettes gives you an unpleasant breath. A regular user of cigarettes will also begin to form discolored teeth. If you plan on having a white smile, you’ll need to consider kicking this habit. Many individuals switch to chew tobacco thinking it less detrimental to our oral health. However, this kind of tobacco has been linked to gum disease. As a substance that has been shown to wreak havoc on our overall health, tobacco also can create major damage to our oral vitality as well. Do you want the appearance and feel of a healthy mouth? Avoid all tobacco products.

Train Your Children

As a parent, you are the first teacher for your child. Teach your kids the importance of good oral health. Set aside time in the morning and night to make sure you show them how to brush and floss correctly. If you set the foundation early in your child’s life, he or she will have a much better chance to develop effective lifelong habits. It’s never too early to start!

See A Dentist

Free toothbrushes and mouthwash shouldn’t be the only reason you decide to visit your dentist. For many, a trip to the dentist isn’t their favorite place, but it is still quite important to go. Browse around and look for the best local dentist in your area. Ask your friends or pull up their reviews online to see if they have a solid reputation. When you visit the dentist, he or she will be able to determine the source of a problem if you’re having one. In addition, you’ll always be able to receive a thorough cleaning. At a minimum, you need to visit a dentist twice per year. A stop by your dentist allows them to remove a buildup of plaque that you weren’t able to reach with your own regular cleanings.

What To Remember

You can have healthy teeth and gums by being consistent in your daily habits. Once you neglect your teeth, it becomes harder to restore your mouth back to its normal state. Take action to make your oral health a priority. If you take care of your teeth and gums, you’ll be walking around with a proud smile ready to show off to the world. Good luck, and happy brushing!