Proper gum and teeth care is an essential aspect of one’s overall health. Poor oral hygiene is inherently linked with numerous teeth and gum diseases that may cause a lack of confidence and toothache. You should therefore take your oral health seriously, whether you’re a child, teen, or adult.
Here’s how to best care for your teeth and gums.
Proper Brushing and Flossing
Here are some tips for brushing your teeth and gums properly:
1. Brush your gums and teeth at least twice daily. Brush at least 30 minutes to one hour after every meal. Brushing helps eliminate plaque, which is a bacteria film that sticks to the teeth. When bacteria in plaque come in contact with food, they usually generate acids, which in turn, result in cavities.
2. Employ the proper way of brushing. A small dab of fluoride toothpaste needs to be placed on the front part of a soft toothbrush. It must be placed against the teeth at a 45-degree angle on the gum line. Go with an up-and-down motion toward the bottom of the inside of the mouth.
3. Brush gently in a small circular motion. Move the toothbrush in circles as it cleans one tooth at a time. The tips of the bristles must be kept against the gum line. Never press too hard that the bristles appear flat against the teeth. It must reach into spaces that are between the teeth, especially the crevices and grooves. The circular motion should also be used when cleaning the backside of the lower and upper teeth.
4. Clean your mouth. Your tongue must be cleaned with a few gentle brush strokes. Brush the back of the tongue forward, but do not scrub it. When you clean your tongue, it aids in freshening your breath and removing bacteria.
5. Rinse using a mouthwash. This should be done after brushing the teeth for two to three minutes.
6. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months. This is to avoid the accumulation of bacteria. As the toothbrush is used frequently, the bristles may weaken.
Also, here are some effective ways of flossing your teeth:
1. Floss your teeth once daily. Flossing removes plaque between the teeth, especially on areas that the toothbrush cannot easily reach.
2. Use clean floss only. Use a new floss and have it pass through each tooth and behind the back teeth.
3. Rinse using an antibacterial mouthwash. Antibacterial and fluoride mouth rinses help in the reduction of bacteria, which may result in gum disease and plaque.
Right Food and Drinks
To maintain good oral health, here are some tips in terms of the right food and drinks to consume:
Eat crunchy vegetables and fruits.
These include carrots, celery, pears, and apples, which are excellent in between meals since chewing these foods enhances saliva production. Saliva is your natural aid in protecting the teeth.
Consume starchy staple foods
Based on studies, fresh fruit and starchy staple foods result in lower levels of dental cavities or caries, which means that the sugar risk is not too high. It’s best to include these types of food in your diet.
Drink water instead of fruit juices or soft drink
Drink water regularly. Fruit juices or fizzy drinks must be consumed minimally. Most soft drinks have phosphoric acid, which disrupts the ability of the body to absorb calcium. Fruit juices also damage the teeth due to their high sugar content. Try drinking with a straw to lessen the exposure of your teeth to acid.
Chew sugarless gum
This should be done ten minutes after snacks and meals to minimise tooth decay. Chewing gums activates your salivary glands to produce more saliva, which will help wash out the leftover food inside your mouth. Make sure to chew only sugarless gum, though. Don’t forget that sugary food is bad for your overall health.
Dental Visits
Taking care of your teeth involves visits to your dentist whenever any dental issues may arise. It is a good idea to consider visiting your dentist once every 6 – 12 months. Frequent visits and professional cleaning with an oral hygienist or dentist lessens the risk of oral cancer, bleeding or swollen gums, gum disease, and teeth erosion.
You should also consult your dentist regarding dental sealants. Dental sealants are used in coating the top, chewing surfaces of the back part of the teeth. Sealants protect the teeth from further decay.
Dental clinics like GC Dental Solutions provide a roster of preventive and restorative services like teeth replacement, mouth guards, and fissure seals, as well as general dental treatments to help keep on top of your oral hygiene.
Avoid Smoking and Sweets
Another way to preserve tooth and gum health is to avoid smoking; Cigars, pipes, and cigarettes result in oral health problems. Beyond such risks, cigarette smoking may cause throat cancer, stained teeth, gum disease, and bad breath.
Make sure to avoid excessive intake of sweets and carbohydrate-rich foods. These types of food generate more acids in the mouth, which may cause damage to the teeth. Hard candies are particularly harmful since they stay longer in the mouth. Avoid eating a lot of lollies, cakes, chocolates, and other sugary snacks.
Visit GC Dental Solutions in Helensvale
With proper brushing and flossing, the right food and drinks, and visits to your dentist when necessary, your teeth and gums will remain healthier for longer. If you live in the northern Gold Coast, the best place to go for dental services and treatments is GC Dental Solutions. Our local Helensvale dentists will make you feel at ease and will provide you with quality dental care at every visit.
Other than preventive and restorative treatments to help maintain your oral health, we also provide other general dentistry services like Root Canal Therapy, fillings, and dentures. We also offer tooth implants and a range of cosmetic dentistry treatments.
GC Dental Solutions is your local dentist with friendly and experienced staff to make your visits relaxed and comfortable. Call us today on 07 5573 1368 or enquire online to schedule your initial consultation.
