The Top 5 At-home Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Clean and Healthy
Caring for your teeth is essential if you want to munch on almonds throughout your lifetime, even if your dentist praises your teeth every time you visit. This means using the right oral care products, such as fluoride toothpaste, and paying attention to what you eat.
But you don’t need to go to your dentist every three months to get a deep cleaning done to keep your teeth clean and healthy. You can use at-home tips as well. Let’s look at some of the best ones.
5 Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Clean and Healthy
Here are tips for keeping your teeth shiny and bright all year round:
Floss Daily
Although it is a crucial element of a healthy lifestyle, many people skip flossing. If you merely brush and conclude you don’t need to floss, tiny food fragments and other deposits that your toothbrush misses might eventually cause decay.
So, make sure you allocate two minutes a day to flossing as a preventative measure. It’s the best way to get rid of whatever your toothbrush can’t remove.
Use a Fluoride Toothpaste
An essential component of proper oral hygiene is toothpaste. But knowing which option to choose can be challenging, given the abundance of possibilities.
One great choice is to use fluoride toothpaste. Long-term research has shown that fluoride is safe and beneficial for preventing cavities.1 It protects teeth against decay by strengthening enamel and reducing the amount of acid produced by bacteria.
Plus, teeth are protected by fluoride against a process known as demineralization.2 This happens when bacteria interact with sugars to produce acid that erodes your teeth.
Replace Your Toothbrush After Every Three to Six Months
Generally speaking, replacing your toothbrush every three to six months should keep it in good enough condition to effectively clean your teeth.
The American Dental Association (ADA) advises employing a toothbrush with gentle bristles. Damaged or frayed toothbrushes can harm your gums and improperly clean the surface of your teeth. It is also advised to always thoroughly rinse your toothbrush and store it in a dry place.
Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks
Despite being largely avoidable, tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic disease in both adults and children, according to research.3 The main cause of the issue is a diet high in sugary foods.
When oral bacteria digest sugar molecules, they release acids that attack the teeth and cause tooth decay (cavities). So, the less sugar you consume, the healthier your teeth will be. If you must have sweet snacks, save them for mealtimes so that your saliva has a chance to buffer and neutralize the acids.
See Your Dentist Twice a Year
To maintain your dental health, we advise scheduling a teeth cleaning and oral examination every six months. One of our dental professionals will be able to carefully scrape plaque and tartar off your teeth during teeth cleaning.
Only a dentist can remove plaque once it has hardened into tartar. If left untreated, tartar accumulation raises your chance of developing gum disease and tooth decay.
Also, always inform your dentist if you experience any odd signs or symptoms, including bleeding, sensitivity, pain, discoloration, sores, lumps, or any other abnormalities.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, untreated tooth decay affects 26% of adults in the US. But the good news is that the majority of individuals can avoid developing oral diseases by practicing good oral hygiene.
Regularly brushing and flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and avoiding sugary foods and drinks are just a few steps you can take. We also suggest visiting a dentist at least twice a year to spot potential problems and timely treat them.