Tips To Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene means taking proper care of your teeth to keep them healthy, clean, and strong. Practicing good oral hygiene means maintaining your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly, seeing your dentist for regular checkups and teeth cleanings, and reducing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease.

Benefits of good oral hygiene

• Improved oral health

By maintaining good oral hygiene practices, you can avoid plaque buildup, tooth decay, and other oral health problems.

• Better breath

Having good oral hygiene habits can help your mouth feel refreshed, and your breath stays fresh all day long. This is because bad oral hygiene habits can lead to things like gum disease or plaque buildup.

• Prevention of other dental problems

Good oral hygiene can prevent problems with your teeth, gums, and jaw. Preventive dentistry gives patients the best chance to avoid disease and tooth loss. Frequent dental visits allow your dentist to monitor the health of your teeth.

• Prevention of dry mouth

Good oral hygiene can help prevent dry mouth. The condition, also known as xerostomia, is caused by a lack of saliva.

Tips to maintain good oral hygiene

• Brush your teeth twice a day

Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after every time you eat a meal. Be sure to brush for at least two minutes at a time.

• Floss your teeth once a day

Flossing your teeth regularly will prevent plaque from building up in between your teeth and along the gum line. Flossing also disrupts plaque colonies from growing, which can help prevent gum disease.

• Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash

Mouthwash has been shown to reduce plaque and gingivitis and freshen breath. Rinsing with mouthwash after brushing can increase the effectiveness of your brushing and flossing by decreasing the number of oral bacteria.

Mouthwashes that are alcohol-free and have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance are generally considered safe and effective to use.

• See your dentist regularly

Regular dental visits are important for several reasons. During your visit, we will clean your teeth and check them for signs of decay. We will also screen you for oral cancer and examine your face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any abnormalities. Early detection of oral cancer is important, so let us examine you for any warning signs. We also recommend coming in for regular checkups so we can help spot issues in the early stages when treatment is likely to be less invasive and less costly.

• Eat a healthy diet

A healthy mouth requires a healthy diet. Eating a well-balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables can lower your risk of tooth decay.

• Avoid tobacco and alcohol

Tobacco and alcohol can have a negative impact on your oral health. Tobacco can increase your risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Alcohol can increase your risk of developing oral cancer.

• Reduce the intake of sugary foods

Sugar can wreak havoc on your smile. When you consume foods that have high sugar content, it can damage your teeth and gums. Additionally, sugar can fuel the growth of plaque, which will lead to tooth decay and cavities. Try to limit your intake of sugary foods and beverages to protect your oral health.

• Replace your toothbrush every three months

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three months because worn bristles can’t effectively clean your teeth, leading to more plaque and tartar buildup.

For more information or to make an appointment with Vose Family Dentistry, call (507) 387-2255 to set an appointment before visiting us at 220 E Main St, Mankato, MN 56001.