Everyone knows you’re supposed to brush every day, but if you really want to prevent cavities and other oral health complications, it might be worth your time to go the extra mile. Cavities are a common ailment for many Canadians, and it’s a good idea to learn what steps to take to avoid suffering from cavities yourself. If you’ve already built the habit of brushing and flossing every day, that’s a good place to start. However, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to figuring out oral hygiene. Here’s a short guide to some workable tips you can use to improve your oral health and minimize the risk of cavities for yourself.
1.Brush twice a day
Brushing every day is good, brushing twice a day is better. Brushing twice eliminates more of the plaque and germs that cause cavities than just once on its own. Since you’re brushing twice a day, you can also add to your routine and make it even more effective. For example, brush with fluoride-based toothpaste and get yourself an electric toothbrush. Fluoride helps strengthen your teeth against cavities, while an electric toothbrush is particularly effective at removing plaque for you, all you have to do is move it properly.
2. Get in the habit of flossing
Your toothbrush cleans the surface of your teeth just fine, but food gets trapped between your teeth too. Dental floss is designed to slip between your teeth and remove the plaque that gets trapped between your teeth. Getting rid of the plaque helps keep the spots between your teeth clean and cavity-free. It only takes a few minutes to floss, so it’s easy to start the habit. Start small and try multi-tasking as you floss. Maybe read a book or watch TV to give yourself something to do. The trick to learning how to brush and floss properly is to start small, and from there you can build it into a habit that sticks.
3. Use mouthwash too
If you’re brushing and flossing, it’s also a good idea to go all the way and use mouthwash too. Rinsing with mouthwash helps remove any loose plaque left after brushing and flossing, leaving your mouth just a little cleaner after everything. Many mouthwashes also have antibacterial properties, meaning you’re also eliminating any germs that could cause other oral ailments. Every little bit counts for your oral health, and mouthwash offers plenty of benefits that make adopting it a tempting prospect.
4. Eat healthy
Doctors always say to watch what you eat, and that wisdom also applies to your oral health. Your dentist may have told you to cut back on sugary foods and drinks to avoid exposing your teeth to sugar. Sugary and acidic foods are corrosive, and over time they can cause damage to the enamel of your teeth. It also helps to include more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. Aside from being healthier fuel for the body, these nutritious, oral health-friendly foods also scrape plaque from your teeth, which helps counteract the effects of sugary food.
5.Drink more water
Aside from eating healthy, you can also drink healthy too. Drinking more water helps rinse the mouth, especially after earring. This helps reduce the amount of food residue on your teeth that you’ll have to brush later. Drinking water also helps counteract the effects of sugary and acidic foods, like coffee and candy. Water rinses the sugar and acid off your teeth and out of your saliva, which helps minimize any corrosive effect on your teeth. Drinking more water also keeps your mouth moist, which goes a long way toward eliminating germs that could contribute to oral health issues.
6. Chew some (sugar-free) gum
Believe it or not, chewing sugarless gum has some notable benefits for your teeth, particularly where it concerns preventing cavities. Chewing gum stimulates your mouth to produce more saliva. This increase in saliva production is a natural counter to germs and plaque, keeping levels of both low and reducing the chances of developing cavities. Consider chewing gum as a way to eliminate more plaque and germs between brushing sessions. Just remember to chew sugarless gum to avoid getting sugar on your teeth while you’re doing this.
7. Visit your dentist regularly
Your dentist isn’t just there to help when cavities develop. Part of their job involves checking on your oral health and giving you concrete advice to maintain good health. Visit your family dentist at least twice a year to get a doctor to look at your teeth and offer professional advice moving forward. These dentist visits are also a golden opportunity to give yourself an oral health checkup to ensure you don’t have any complications.
Implementing all these steps to improve your oral health can seem daunting, but the trick is to start small. Make a few changes over time to accommodate these steps one by one, and before you know it you’ll be practicing better oral hygiene. Preventing cavities has never been easier, and with just a few adjustments to your lifestyle you can start doing it easily.
Need a friendly, reliable dentist to take a look at your teeth? Then give Dr. Mark Rhody a visit. Our clinic offers a wide range of dental services to help you look after your oral health. Call us now at (416) 231-4281 to make an appointment.