While at home, people of all ages need to practice good oral hygiene. The steps you take to care for your smile at home are often essential for avoiding not just bad breath and stained teeth, but also protecting your teeth and gums from decay and disease! In today’s blog, your Houston, TX, dentist offers some valuable at-home dental hygiene tips.
Brush and Floss (The Right Way):
Each time you brush your teeth, you should do so for at least two minutes. Be sure you do so in the morning as soon as you wake up, and then again before going to bed. Be sure you use a fluoride toothpaste too, as this helps keep your enamel strong. While brushing is important, you also need to floss, as this reaches what a toothbrush alone cannot. You should floss up and down the length of each side of every tooth. Dip below the gum line when you do, so you can extract any trapped food particles. For added protection, try to make time to floss quickly after meals too, especially if you have bits of food trapped between your teeth.
Watch What You Eat:
When we consume foods and beverages high in sugar, this leaves behind particles for bacteria to consume. As bacteria break down these bits of sugar, oral acidity elevates and the teeth become coated in plaque, which weakens enamel and inflames the gum tissues. To lower your risk of tooth and gum issues, try to eat more fresh fruit and veggies, and cut back on candy, cakes, soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, and other items high in sugars and acids. When you eat healthier, you strengthen your smile by providing steady doses of calcium and vitamin D. Your enamel is stronger, and your chances of developing a cavity is lower.
Drink More Water:
We briefly touched on harmful beverages above, such as sodas, fruit juice, energy drinks, and even sports drink, all of which provide a boost to harmful oral bacteria and increase the risk of cavities. However, by drinking more water you cleanse your mouth to remove harmful bacteria and food particles, and keep yourself healthy and hydrated. If you do need a flavored beverage, then consider an unsweet or green tea, which provides antioxidants and contain no harmful sugars or acids. If you have any questions about keeping your smile strong and healthy, then contact our team today. We want to help you smile with confidence!
OUR HOUSTON, TX DENTIST’S OFFICE OFFERS BETTER ORAL HEALTH
At our Houston, TX dentist’s office, we know that your dental hygiene is the key to strong, bright, and healthy smiles. Find out more about how we help you maintain optimal oral health by calling Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry at (281) 974-4494.
