Your oral health is important. Your smile even more so. What happens when you can’t seem to get both under control?
Knowledge is power and nowhere is that more true than oral health, where the difference between a brilliant grin and a constant frown is how well you follow the basics. Despite the importance of good oral health many adults and children are still in the dark about what they need to do to keep their teeth shiny and gums healthy. That’s before we even get into the function of dentures, root canals and veneers! Instead of turning to trendy tips, embrace the classics and use these skills in your day-to-day.
You may just be amazed at what you can do!
Replace Your Toothbrush Every Month
This is a basic tip that can elude even the most hardy of oral health gurus! A toothbrush with weak bristles is a toothbrush that can’t do its job, leaving your teeth in the piteous state of developing yellow spots and gross plaque. The American Dental Association personally recommends brushing twice per day to keep your teeth gleaming and your gums happy. But is that all you have to do? Not quite! Flossing is an important aspect of good oral health, but something many people feel they can get away with skipping.
Floss Twice Per Day For Maximum Health
Flossing may not be fun, but it’s an essential part of good oral health. Without a good flossing regimen to remove harmful bacteria and stuck food from between your teeth you run the risk of developing gum disease! It’s estimated one out of five Americans today have one or more untreated cavities, with a lack of proper flossing often to blame. Add that up to nearly 50% of adults having some form of periodontal disease and this is one tip you can’t miss. Make sure to floss on both sides of the teeth to get a deep clean!
Invest In Dentures Or Veneers For More Comfort
Perhaps you’ve already got brushing and flossing down pat. Maybe you’re older and are considering reaching out to dental care in your area to talk about dentures. Today over three million people have dental implants, with that number only growing by the day. Around 40% of adults have well-aligned front teeth, to boot, and that percentage leaves a lot of unhappy Americans with smiles they just can’t feel proud about. Your general dentist today has more than enough dentures and veneers to transform even the most spotty smile into something spectacular.
Use Mouthwash Every Morning And Night
Mouthwash isn’t just to give you fresh breath (though that certainly doesn’t hurt!). It’s also there to supplement your brushing and flossing to give you a complete oral health experience. Fluoride is a great way of promoting shiny teeth and healthy gums, often worming its way through the cracks and killing any bacteria you might have missed. Make sure to rinse in the morning and at night to stave off periodontal disease, gingivitis and any pockets of bacteria threatening to turn into future cavities.
Visit Your Dentist At Least Once Per Year
Even the best teeth cleaning regimen is bound to have a few missed spots. That’s where your local dentists come into play. Teeth cleaning is recommended twice per year (or once per year if you’re very good about brushing, flossing and rinsing!) to ensure consistent oral health. Not only can a dentist chip away at extra plaque and offer you a deeper clean, they can spot any incidents of gum disease, new cavities or signs you could use dentures. You can even dip into cosmetic dentistry if you really want to take charge of your teeth!
Give yourself something extra to smile about this year. Keep these tips close and you’ll have a gleaming grin before you know it!