22 Habits to Maintaining Good Dental Care

It’s said that it takes three weeks to form a new habit. However, to make that habit permanent requires dedication and continued practice. There are a number of reasons why we should maintain our oral health. Everyone’s mouth naturally contains bacteria, kind of like having your own private community. However, if left to their own devices in a mouth that doesn’t get brushed or flossed, pretty soon that community will rise up in mutiny against you. This is what can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Mouth bacteria thrive in a plaque-filled environment. They feed off sugars left behind from what we eat or drink and grow until their population is out of control. They continue eating away at our precious tooth enamel forming a cavity in their wake. However, it doesn’t stop there. All of the plaque collecting on our teeth irritates the gums leading to redness and inflammation and, if left to fester too long, gum disease. Gum disease in its severe form, in turn, leads to tooth loss and bone loss, a permanent and lasting result. In the end, it all could’ve been prevented had we simply taken up arms with toothbrush in one hand and floss in the other. It takes roughly five minutes a day to maintain your teeth and a few conscious decisions throughout the day. Pair this with following up with family dentistry in Troy, Ohio, for regular dental checkups to keep our teeth their brightest and healthiest. There are several things that you can do to maintain your oral health throughout each day. Here are several tips to give you a start. Choose an ADA-approved toothbrush. These have been rigorously tested for oral safety and effectiveness. Change your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three to four months. Frayed bristles do little to clean teeth. Sanitize your toothbrush daily. Not everyone does this, but it’s a crucial one. Soak the toothbrush in mouthwash, use a toothbrush sanitizer, or run it through the dishwasher. All are effective ways to sanitize it. Brush your teeth twice a day, every day. It only takes two minutes to clean your teeth through brushing. Brush any less than this and the effectiveness dwindles. Brush or scrape your tongue. Don’t stop with your teeth. A tongue scraper is the best tool to clean your tongue. However, if you do not have one, brushing your tongue with your toothbrush will suffice. Floss your teeth daily. Although flossing does not rank as a favorite activity with oral health maintenance, it is still necessary. Flossing accomplishes what tooth brushing can not. It cleans between the teeth in hard to reach places. Consider a water flosser if you’re not crazy about regular floss, or if you wear hard to clean orthodontic hardware. Rinse daily with an alcohol-free mouthwash to blast away remaining bacteria. If you are prone to decay and gum disease, consider an antibacterial mouthwash. Think before you drink. Coffee, teas, soda, red wine, and juice will stain teeth. Most of them also contain sugars, which bacteria eat. Avoid them if possible. If you must consume, use a straw. Sipping from the rim of a cup or bottle allows the liquid to first wash over the teeth. Use a straw to direct the flow toward the back of the mouth. Limit alcoholic beverages. Heavy alcohol use raises your risk of developing oral cancer. Avoid using tobacco products. These leave behind stains and can lead to serious illnesses, such as cancer and emphysema. Choose healthy snacks like raw veggies and crunchy apples instead of the sugary or starchy treats that mouth bacteria thrives on. Schedule regular dental checkups. Schedule regular dental cleanings every six to 12 months for proper plaque and tartar build-up removal. Schedule regular professional teeth whitening sessions to keep your pearly whites bright. Chew on ADA-approved sugarless gum instead of other types of gum. It contains Xylitol, which increases saliva production and may help prevent cavities. Dental prosthetics, such as crowns, implants, bridges and dentures should be cleaned daily as well. Have any cavities repaired as soon as possible. Wear a mouth guard to protect teeth from injury during sportsr Talk to your dentist if you have a tendency to grind your teeth. Visit your family dentistry in Troy, Ohio, for additional information on oral health or call to schedule an exam. Our courteous, professional staff will be glad to answer your questions.