It’s vital to establish a good oral health routine to ensure you maintain a clean mouth. But where do you start? Here are some helpful tips on how to create an oral health routine.
Understand Your Oral Health Needs
First, talk with your dentist about any special conditions in your mouth and the ways in which your overall health conditions might affect your teeth. Diabetes, for example, can have adverse effects on your oral health. You may need to take extra steps in your oral health routine. Something as basic as how much saliva you produce naturally or whether or not you are pregnant can also affect your oral health needs.
Commit to a Daily Oral Health Routine
Your daily oral health routine is a large part of having a healthy mouth. Think of your daily routine as the building blocks to developing good oral hygiene. Based on your discussion with your dentist, create an easy-to-follow, effective routine you can see through on a daily basis. This includes tasks as basic as brushing your teeth to more specific ones like using a tongue scraper as an extra step to combat bad breath. At the bare minimum, everyone should brush their teeth twice a day, floss at least once a day, and use mouthwash to rinse away any particles that remain in your mouth and on your teeth. These daily habits remove plaque and bacteria that can lead to serious dental issues such as gum disease, gingivitis, and cavities. Don’t skip a day if you want a health mouth!
Use Fluoride
Fluoride is a vital part of an oral health routine. It strengthens developing teeth in children and prevents decay in adults and children. Fluoride exists in tap water in many cases but can also be found in toothpaste and mouthwash. Your dentist can also prescribe other products with higher fluoride levels, if need be.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Your diet directly impacts your teeth, so be sure you’re making healthy choices. Stay away from foods that contain starches and sugars. Foods like ice cream and potato chips produce decay-causing acids. Instead, choose fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots that won’t attack your teeth and can actually have teeth-cleaning properties. No matter what you eat, you should always rinse your mouth out with a glass of water. Better yet, brush your teeth if you can.
Regularly Examine Your Mouth
By examining your teeth and gums regularly, you will be able to catch any changes that could potentially be early signs of serious dental issues. Check your mouth for swollen gums, discolored teeth, chipped teeth, and sores or lesions on your gums, cheeks, or tongue. If you see anything out of the ordinary, call your dentist immediately.
Professional Dental Check-Ups
You should be seeing your dentist every six months for regular check-ups and cleanings. These appointments provide you with a professional examination and are vital for catching any serious dental issues and providing a more thorough cleaning than you can do at home.
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