Dental Hygiene is extremely important for not only your oral care, but also your overall health. Poor dental hygiene has been linked to many common illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. In fact, during a recent study, numbers suggest that people with serious gum disease were 40% more likely to also have a chronic health condition. Below are our 10 good dental hygiene tips for boosting your oral health.
Floss Daily. In 2013, 50.5% of Americans say they floss on a daily basis. That means nearly half of the U.S. population is missing 40% of their teeth’s surfaces. Flossing is high on our list of good dental hygiene tips because it is the number one most ignored dental hygiene tool and is just as important as brushing on a daily basis.
Brush Your Teeth Daily. It is recommended by the ADA to brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Your toothbrush should fit comfortably in your mouth and be easy to maneuver around, reaching all areas of your teeth and mouth.
Eat Crunchy Veggies. If it is hard to find time to brush your teeth after lunch than our 3rd suggestion in our good dental hygiene tips is just for you. Try eating low acidic fruits or crunchy veggies such as carrots or celery. These foods are natural tooth cleaning aids and can help scrub sticky food residue of the surface of your teeth. Furthermore, celery’s stringing fibers can act as natural floss, helping remove enrooted food between your teeth.
Chew Sugar Free Gum. Much like our third suggestion in our 10 good dental hygiene tips, chewing sugar free gum can help clean your teeth after meals. The stickiness of gum helps remove wedged food between your teeth and can pull plaque from the surfaces. The ADA also says that chewing gum increases the flow of saliva in your mouth, helping to neutralize acids. Saliva also carries calcium and phosphate which helps strengthen tooth enamel.
Quite Smoking. Smoking not only affects your lungs, it affects your teeth and gums as well. Nicotine and tar in cigarettes creates the perfect environment for bacteria and plaque to breed. Smoking dries your mouth by decreasing saliva flow. Tobacco can also cause mouth sores, making you more at risk for mouth cancer.
Eat Better. Coming in at number 6 on our good dental hygiene tips list is healthy eating. Eating nutritious and balanced meals while limiting snacking can do wonders for your dental hygiene. Foods with high levels of carbohydrate such as candy, breads and chips will stick to teeth and remain on the tooth surface until brushed off. This can increase your risk of cavities.
Keep your Tools Clean. Keep your tooth brush clean by rinsing it with water after each use. Store your toothbrush upright and uncovered so it can air dry. Storing tooth brushes in closed containers encourages bacteria growth which can then be transferred to your mouth.
Replace Toothbrush. In order to have the best dental hygiene, it is recommended to replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or if your bristles become frayed.
Purchase ADA Approved Supplies. There are many dental products out there to choose from but only ones with the ADA approval stamp should be trusted. This is especially true when it comes to mouth wash and even other things like sugar free gum.
Regular Dental Visits. Number 10 on the best dental hygiene tips list is your biannual dentist appointments. The ADA recommends having two dental visits a year.Having two dental visits a year helps keep your dental hygiene in check. Dental visits can also be used as an extra way to check up on your overall wellbeing as the condition of your gums can be a tall tail sign of other health issues.
As of 2013, 80 percent of the U.S. population has some form of periodontal gum disease. Periodontal disease can be easily prevented by taking the dental hygiene steps above. Take the first steps to having a cleaner, healthier mouth by making an appointment at your local dentist office today.
Visit us at www.devotedfamilydental.com today for more information about our 10 best dental hygiene tips. Devoted Family Dental is Marysville Washington’s favorite family dentist!