If you’re keen to ensure your teeth and mouth are as healthy as possible, you may be wondering whether it’s possible to achieve a dentist-clean result that lasts from the comfort of your own home.
Keep reading for tips on how to clean your teeth and gums effectively for a brighter, healthier smile and better overall wellbeing.
Get the Basics Right
Start by making sure your oral health routine is as good as it can be. This means brushing - either with a manual or electric toothbrush - twice a day for a couple of minutes each time. Be careful not to brush too aggressively, which could cause sore gums and other problems. Choose fluoride toothpaste for the best protection, and ensure it has the ADA seal of approval. Be sure to brush all the surfaces of each tooth, taking care to reach the back of the teeth, too. Finish by giving your tongue a brush to dislodge bacteria and plaque that may have formed on its surface.
You may want to talk to your dentist about also using interdental brushes: these are small brushes designed to fit into the gaps between your teeth - they come in various sizes. You could also incorporate mouthwash into your routine to promote mouth health and help keep your breath fresh.
Change Your Toothbrush Regularly
If you use a manual toothbrush, then you should change it for a new one every three months, or before this, if the ends are frayed or otherwise show wear. Similarly, the heads of an electric toothbrush should be replaced regularly.
As well as being less effective at cleaning, a toothbrush that’s gotten too old is likely to be more abrasive and could cause damage to tooth enamel or injury to the gums. Plus, over time, toothbrushes may begin to harbor nasties such as fungus, mold, and bacteria: the yuck factor alone, therefore, makes changing them regularly a necessity.
Consider Teeth Whitening
Many people are now turning to teeth whitening procedures for a whiter, brighter smile. With the arrival of new at-home whitening kits, this is now easier and more affordable than ever before.
Typically, at-home whitening can make the teeth several shades lighter and reduce the appearance of stains. Many options deliver fast results, with just a week of treatment giving whiter teeth for up to six months. Click here now for more information on SmileDirectClub, one of the leading providers of at-home whitening kits; the whitening serum provided is the same used by many cosmetic dentists, so you’re guaranteed professional results from the comfort of your own living room.
Make Changes to Your Diet
What we eat and drink profoundly affects the health of our teeth, gums, and all the other parts of our mouth. While we all know that we should cut back on sugar to help prevent a build-up of plaque and tooth decay, some other little hacks can help, too. For example, eating a small amount of cheese after consuming fruit, or anything else that contains either natural or refined sugar, can help to neutralize the enamel-attacking acid caused by these foods. It’s also advisable to wait at least half an hour after eating before brushing the teeth to protect the enamel.
Soft drinks, especially, should be avoided and never given to young children. The high levels of acid that consuming soda produces can wear away tooth enamel, lead to cavities, and even damage the inner structure of the tooth.
Drinking too much alcohol can also cause problems, increasing the chance of developing mouth and other cancers. Smoking is the biggest threat to the health of them all: and as well as, like alcohol, increasing the risk of cancer, it also causes staining to the teeth, bad breath, and gum disease.
Up Your Calcium Intake
Getting enough calcium is especially important for growing children and older adults; it can help to protect and maintain the health of the teeth, as well as the bones throughout the body.
Eat plenty of calcium-rich foods, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Calcium can be found in some surprising places: spinach, for example, and sardines are also great sources of the vitamin. If you think that you aren’t regularly getting enough calcium in your diet, speak with your doctor about taking a calcium supplement to ensure the levels in your body are adequate.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Regular trips to the dentist’s office are one of the best ways to ensure the continuing health of your teeth and gums. Your dentist will be able to provide you with plenty of information to help, from demonstrating effective brushing techniques to giving you details on how to go about getting a straighter smile if your teeth are misaligned.
Most importantly, dentists are specially trained to spot the signs of issues early so that treatment can be carried out to resolve the problem and restore the health of the mouth. As well as checking for cavities and signs of gum disease, your dentist will also be looking for any sign of mouth cancer, so attending regular appointments is vital.