A good dental routine goes beyond brushing and flossing. There are other things you can do to help maintain healthy teeth and gums, and these include:
1. Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes
Brushing for two minutes at a time twice a day will help to keep plaque at bay. Try spending 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth (upper right side, upper left side, lower right side, lower left side). It is important to use the right techniques to ensure the teeth are being cleaned properly and you are not damaging the soft tissue around them.
2. Floss daily
Dentists recommend that you floss every night before brushing to remove anything your toothbrush is unable to dislodge. When you only brush and neglect to floss, small particles of food and other deposits might be missed by your toothbrush which can eventually develop into decay. To avoid this, ensure you take two minutes a day to add flossing to your routine.
3. Change your toothbrush regularly
How long should you keep using the same toothbrush? A general rule is to change it about every 3 to 6 months to clean your teeth properly. Using damaged or frayed toothbrushes will not clean the surface of your teeth correctly. More so, they can cause damage to your gums. Always rinse your toothbrush well and store it so it can dry.
4. Maintain a healthy diet
Stop taking sweetened foods (such as pop, sports drinks, and candy) and replace with foods high in calcium that will help to support strong and healthy teeth. Some foods that will help to strengthen your teeth include leafy greens, almonds, yogurt, and cheese.
5. Stay hydrated throughout the day
Water intake is important to your overall health. It helps maintain a healthy saliva flow. Saliva aids in dental health by moving food particles through your mouth, preventing most of them from lodging in your teeth where bacteria can grow. It also helps to keep your mouth odourless and moist.
6. Don’t smoke
Smoking results to tooth staining. It could cause severe health complications like gum (periodontal) disease which can lead to tooth loss, and oral cancer.
7. Visit your dentist every six months
Regular visits to dentist would keep your teeth and gum healthy. The rountine also allow your teeth to get a thorough professional cleaning twice a year, removing any plaque and tartar.