We all aspire to have a healthy smile. Maintaining strong teeth and gums can easily be achieved with some simple daily habits, giving you the confidence booster you need to feel better about yourself. Developing consistent habits is the key to improving your oral health, as well as preventing minor issues from getting worse. Dentists will always tell you that these good habits start at home – with prevention being the greater goal. Here are some tips from My Dentist Canberra.
Brush Twice Daily
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Brushing twice a day is number one priority when it comes to maintaining optimal oral health. Your dentist will emphasize the importance of using the right brushing technique to get the most out of your daily cleaning. Some wise tips to remember include:
- Avoid brushing too hard: If you’re too heavy handed, you may cause gum bleeding and wear down enamel
- Brush with momentum: It’s easy to rush the brushing process when you’re in a hurry. Whether you’re using an electric or standard toothbrush, it’s recommended to brush for a minimum of 2 minutes
- Brush on a 45-degree angle: To help remove plaque more effectively, angle brushing will get into those ‘hard to reach’ spots and ensure you get a thorough clean
- Morning & Evening Brushing: Twice daily brushing is the key to minimising staining (especially coffee stains) and general bacterial build up
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/teeth-cleaning
Flossing
Yes, flossing. The one thing many of us forget to do or we’re too busy to include into our daily routine.
- Brushing alone is not enough: Brushing cleans approximately 70% of the tooth surface. The other 30% is where flossing is vital because it helps get in between teeth, where brushing simply can’t reach
- Flossing keeps bad breath at bay: Regular flossing eliminates food particles in between teeth, which can lead to bad breath, decay and gum disease
- Flossing 1 x daily: Aim to do this for a couple of minutes, taking care to get in between every gap. If you don’t like using regular floss, you can swap it for floss picks and interdental brushes to make the whole flossing process easier
- Lowers the risk of cavities: Flossing may seem like it’s not doing much but it’s the key tool for reducing the risk of cavities and gingivitis. If you make this a part of your daily routine, you will reap the long-term benefits of good oral health and hygiene
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2016/11/don-t-toss-floss
Mouthwash Booster
Adding a mouthwash to your routine is a great way to add extra freshness to your breath and maintain good oral health.
- Reduces plaque and bacteria: Using a mouthwash strengthens tooth enamel and protects against cavities
- Provides a thorough clean: Finishing with a mouthwash gives you a thorough clean that can’t be achieved with brushing alone. It freshens your breath in seconds, leaving you feeling clean and refreshed
- Complements your brushing and flossing: An antiseptic mouthwash promotes healthier teeth and gums, while enhancing long-term oral health and hygiene
- Alcohol free choices: If you are prone to sensitivity, there are alcohol free options you can use, that won’t be as harsh in your mouth. These gentler solutions will ensure you end your day feeling fresh and clean
Reduce Sugary & Highly Acidic Foods
These days, convenience foods are everywhere. From fast food restaurants right through to supermarkets where sugary snacks and acidic foods are easily accessible, it’s hard to escape it. But if you want to protect your teeth and gums, it’s important to limit our intake of highly processed foods, while maintaining good oral health.
- Acidic foods and beverages increase cavities: High consumption of sugary snacks, soft drinks and fruit juices can not only harm teeth, it can weaken tooth enamel over time causing a range of oral issues
- Reach for healthy snacks: Foods such as leafy greens, fruit, veg, cheese and yoghurt are hugely beneficial to oral health
- Sugary foods feed harmful bacteria: Over the years, this can lead to tooth decay, increased sensitivity and cavities. Frequent consumption also interrupts the natural pH balance in the mouth
- Bacteria thrives in a sugar and acidic environment: This can lead to a range of issues including gingivitis, bad breath, plaque build-up and cavities
Avoid Smoking & Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Smoking is a major contributing factor for gum disease, oral cancer and tooth loss. It leads to decay, enamel deterioration and staining. Alcohol also has similar effects in the long term. Our Canberra dentists strongly recommend patient’s quit smoking and lower alcohol consumption to ensure optimal oral health is maintained for a lifetime.
- Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums: This in turn increases the risk of gum disease, infections and bleeding, eventually leading to tooth loss
- Staining: Cigarette smoking is known to stain teeth, leaving them yellow. It can also cause bad breath and contribute to bacteria buildup
- Delayed Healing: Tobacco and alcohol can both slow down the healing process, increasing the risk of infections and oral disease
- Higher Risk of Developing Oral Cancer: Due to the harmful chemicals contained in tobacco, this can substantially increase throat, mouth and tongue cancers
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9875717
Support Healthy Teeth & Gums with Daily Oral Care
Achieving a beautiful, healthy smile takes ongoing commitment, as well as following a good oral routine. By adopting regular brushing, flossing, rinsing and eating well, you will be making positive strides towards protecting your long-term oral health.
My Dentist Canberra is a leading dental clinic specialising in professional, reliable and friendly dental care. Get in touch with our team today to arrange a consultation.
Top Questions When It Comes To Daily Oral Care
What daily habits can I do to maintain healthy teeth and gums?
- Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and rinsing with mouthwash are essential for removing plaque and preventing cavities and gum disease.
- Keep to a regular routine
Use a soft bristled toothbrush to remove plaque & bacteria from teeth and gums. - Eat a balanced diet & minimise sugary foods
Why is flossing important to do with brushing?
Flossing completes the brushing process because it removes food particles and plaque between teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach, minimising the risk of decay, gum inflammation and bleeding.
- Removes hidden plaque.
- Regular flossing keeps your teeth strong.
- Helps control bad breath.
- Prevents gum disease
Should I brush my teeth right after eating?
Although not necessary right away, it’s usually best to wait 30 minutes after eating. This will prevent enamel erosion caused by brushing too soon.
- Waiting 30 minutes allows the enamel to reharden.
- Instead of brushing immediately, try using a mouthwash to wash away food particles and acids
How does diet impact my oral health?
A balanced diet that is low in sugar is ideal for supporting strong teeth and gums. Limiting sugary snacks and acidic beverages prevents cavities and enamel wear.
- Sugar causes cavities and decay. Try and avoid as much as possible.
- Leafy greens, fish and lean proteins build strong, healthy teeth and gums.
- Limit fruit juices and acidic drinks as this can wear away enamel over time
Why do I need regular check-ups if I practice good oral hygiene at home?
Even with excellent daily care, visiting the dentist ensures there is no hardened plaque build-up, as well as detecting early signs of gum disease and other dental issues.
- Your dentist can detect what isn’t visible and identify problems early.
- Professional cleaning reaches deeper places that normal brushing can’t achieve.
- Visiting the dentist on a regular basis helps keep your gums and teeth in the best condition
