If you already make it a point to practice good oral hygiene, you’re doing the right thing — not just for your teeth and gums, but for your whole body, too! Caring for your teeth properly prevents periodontal disease, reduces the risk of heart disease, and improves your overall health in many more ways. But if your dental hygiene could use some work, you’re not alone. For many different reasons, some people struggle to take care of their dental health. The good news is that the most challenging part is getting started, and it gets much easier from there.
You deserve good oral health, and taking care of your teeth doesn’t have to be hard. Make this year the year you resolve to truly care about your smile by using these five tips!
Don’t Skip Brushing or Flossing
Even though you’ve already heard it before, you should never skip brushing and flossing your teeth. Brushing your teeth at least twice per day and flossing at least once is the first step on the road to great dental hygiene. Also, remember to replace your toothbrush every three months or 90 days to keep things sanitary.
Use a Timer
Simply swirling your toothbrush around a few times doesn’t do much to keep your mouth clean. If you really want to remove all of that plaque buildup that can lead to tooth decay, brush your teeth for at least two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a dentist-approved fluoride toothpaste. Avoid products made with charcoal or excessive abrasives since these can damage sensitive tooth enamel.
Keep Your Tongue Clean, Too
Even if you’re meticulous about brushing and flossing, you can still end up with bad breath if you forget to brush your tongue. If you’re tired of scrubbing away with your toothbrush, invest in a tongue scraper to remove all that yucky stuff from your mouth once and for all.
Find Your “Extra Something”
Your toothbrush, tongue scraper, and box of floss aren’t the only oral health tools out there. This year, add some high-quality mouthwash to your kit, grab some floss picks for on-the-go cleaning, or upgrade to a state-of-the-art electric toothbrush. You’d be surprised at how much easier it is to care for your teeth when you have more tools to depend on!
Visit the Dentist Regularly
Whether your tooth with a crown hurts or it’s just been a while since you’ve last had your pearly whites examined, you’re overdue for a dental appointment. Ideally, you should see the dentist at least twice per year for cleanings and X-rays, although some people benefit from more frequent appointments. For instance, if you have gum disease or other oral health problems, you may need to book dental appointments every three to four months.
Contact the Bloom Dental Team Today
Why do you need a root canal? Is sugar really bad for your teeth? Get the answers to these and all your other pressing dental questions by browsing the rest of our articles, or get started with your dental health journey this year by contacting Bloom Dental now. We’re always happy to welcome new patients!