It is essential to maintain good oral hygiene to keep your gums and teeth healthy. But, oral health is more than gum disease and cavities, as research shows a relationship between your mouth and your overall health. When left untreated, gum problems or tooth decay can lead to tooth loss, issues with self-confidence, and pain.

These problems may lead to speech problems, malnutrition as you cannot eat properly, and challenges in your personal life, school, and work. Thus, to keep your teeth strong and healthy, making regular visits to the Penrith family dentist is always wiser.

1. Brush Regularly but without Aggression

You know that you should brush your teeth twice a day to remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth and keep the teeth clean. But, brushing is only effective if you do it correctly. Brush your teeth using small circular movements, concentrating on the back, front, and top of all teeth. This should take you two to three minutes and avoid moving back and forth.

Using a toothbrush with stiff bristles or brushing too hard can damage the gums and tooth enamel. This may result in gum erosion, permanent damage to tooth enamel, and tooth sensitivity. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and change your toothbrush every three months.

When brushing, use toothpaste that contains fluoride, which prevents cavities. Some dental products have no fluoride. Therefore, you should check if your toothpaste when purchasing.

Brushing your teeth with toothpaste with no fluoride leads to tooth decay, even if you floss daily. Your drinking water should also contain the right amounts of fluoride. Some of the drinking water sold in retail stores has low amounts of fluoride or none at all. If you are using well water, have it regularly checked for fluoride levels as some have too much fluoride, which could damage your teeth.

2. Eat Healthy Food

Mouth bacteria feed on sugar from the food and drinks you consume. The foods make acids that soften and wear out tooth enamel. Candy that sticks on your teeth also damages your teeth. Soft drinks also damage teeth enamel as they are acidic and will destroy your enamel over prolonged use. Instead of taking soft drinks when thirsty, have a glass of water.

To strengthen and protect your teeth' enamel:

•           Consume dairy products such as yogurt, milk, and cheese.

•           Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy products to minimize calorie intake. If you do not eat dairy products, look for other food rich in calcium or with calcium added.

•           Ensure that you eat a balanced diet and include plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains for strong, healthy teeth.

Alcohol erodes the outer surface of teeth, which leads to loss of enamel. You will need to visit the dentist for tooth filling if this happens. Smoking is also discouraged as it harms your immune system making it difficult to heal body tissues. According to the best dentist in Cary NC, smoking is a risk factor for gum disease; also, smoking may slow down healing after undergoing a dental procedure.

3. Floss Every Day

Regular flossing helps improve your dental hygiene. Skipping to floss allows plaque build-up along your gum line and between your teeth. Over time, this increases your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Plaque is an invisible sticky film that forms between and around your teeth and the gum line. It develops when mouth bacteria mixes with starchy or sugary drinks and foods.

The bacteria release acids, which break down carbohydrates. When you fail to brush and floss, the carbohydrates, acids, and bacteria mix to form plaque on your gum line and around your teeth.

The bacteria can release acids that damage your teeth' enamel leading to cavities. Plaque build-up hardens and turns into tartar, settling along your gum line, increasing your risk of developing gum disease. Regular flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from areas that your toothbrush cannot reach.

Final Thoughts

Practicing good dental hygiene from childhood to adulthood helps in keeping gums and teeth healthy and strong. Daily brushing and flossing, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and going for regular dental checkups help avoid gum disease, cavities, and other dental issues.