The key to good oral health is a dedication to daily dental cleanings, and it shouldn’t require more than 10 minutes a day. These good habits are a small sacrifice for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Maintenance of oral health should be taken seriously from an early age, so you and others can enjoy the vibrancy of bright teeth and healthy gums.
At Home Routines for Lasting Smiles
Bacteria need to be brushed off teeth first thing in the morning and before going to bed. For a thorough cleaning, allow a couple of minutes to brush, and use the soft bristles of a toothbrush that is recommended by the American Dental Association. If you angle the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, the brush can reach under the gum line for maximum cleaning. Brush both the front and the back of teeth, and only a small amount of toothpaste is necessary.
Dental floss is just as important as a toothbrush. Flossing provides a detailed cleaning of the teeth by removing hard to reach bacteria from between teeth. Use enough dental floss to ensure a fresh section for each tooth, so teeth are not contaminated with previously used string.
Several other dental products can help maintain a clean and healthy smile. Rinsing with an anti-septic, ADA-approved mouthwash is very helpful, and inter-dental brushes are also useful cleaning tools. Tongue-scrapers can also remove harmful bacteria that create bad breath.
Safeguard Health with Regular Dental Visits
Routine visits to the dentist should also be a part of your oral health maintenance. There are crevices and pockets in the teeth that get overlooked, and a dental professional can remove cavity-causing plaque from teeth. When plaque calcifies, it turns into tartar, a stubborn substance that can only be removed with a scaling tool. Left untreated, tartar can lead to gum disease and tooth loss.
A lifestyle of Healthy Choices
A healthy lifestyle is also necessary to maintain oral health. Including fibrous foods like celery, carrots, or apples can help clean teeth by the friction they create while chewing. Bacteria feast on sugary foods and release an acid that causes decay, so if possible limit sugar intake. Rinsing the mouth with water throughout the day can help in keeping the mouth clean.
Finally, tobacco products are very detrimental to oral health. They reduce oxygen levels in the blood which weakens gum tissue. Tobacco also dries out the mouth, which help bacteria collect into plaque. Smokers are four times more likely to experience tooth loss, and 80% of people with oral cancer are smokers or use other tobacco products.
Creating Smiles with Dr. Scott in Oklahoma City
We here at Creating Smiles would like to help you maintain a bright smile and healthy gums. Give our offices in Oklahoma City a call so we can check to make sure your teeth stay healthy. Dr. Scott Carel has been providing compassionate dental care for over 30 years.