Top 3 Ways For Your Mouth To Feel Healthier

Doing all you can to achieve a healthier mouth will improve your confidence, self-esteem, appearance and overall health and lifestyle.

Research by experts in oral health states that poor mouth hygiene can severely compromise a person’s ability to speak, socialise, and general well-being.

So read on to discover what you can do to get a bright, confident smile.

Cleaning In Between the Teeth Where the Toothbrush Doesn’t Reach

Brushing twice a day is essential for healthy teeth. But just as important is cleaning in between your teeth.

Tiny food particles can become lodged between your teeth in the spaces your toothbrush cannot reach, leading to plaque and bacteria buildup. Too much plaque can result in enamel erosion, cavities, and gum disease.

Spending a couple of minutes a day cleaning in between the teeth with floss or an interdental brush will remove trapped food and any built-up plaque. In addition, regular flossing helps protect your gums from inflammation and your teeth from cavities. 

To reap the most significant benefits from flossing, you must floss correctly.

• Holding a length of dental floss that is about 24 inches long between your thumb and index fingers, gently place the floss between two teeth.
• As you reach your gum, curve the floss into a C shape and gently floss up and down underneath the gum.  Most people don’t realise that the floss is meant to go underneath the gums.
• Repeat on each tooth.

Flossing can be quite a sensitive technique which is why we often recommend people try interdental brushes. They are small brushes that are designed to clean the hard to reach gaps in between the teeth. Everyone’s teeth have different sized gaps. Interdental brushes also come in different sizes. Contact us at Whitehorse Dental so we can show you exactly what size is most suited to you.  

Eating a Healthy, Balanced Diet and Limit Sugar Intake

It goes without saying that a healthy, balanced diet helps to keep our bodies healthy and disease-free. In addition, being mindful of the effect particular food’s have on your teeth will allow your mouth to feel healthier.

Limiting your sugar intake will protect your teeth and your overall health. For example, cutting out fizzy soda drinks high in sugar will go a long way in reducing the risk of tooth decay.

Natural fruit juice may seem a healthy option, but be aware that fruit juice contains natural sugars. Aim to stick to one small glass a day, preferably with meals, to avoid the acidic reaction on your teeth’ enamel.

Drinking water throughout the day and at mealtimes will help prevent the buildup of plaque and acidic attacks on your teeth.

Don’t Smoke or Chew Tobacco

The risk to overall health from smoking is widely known, but even chewing tobacco will not give you a bright, white smile.

Chewing tobacco can cause discolouration of the teeth and the gums to recede.

You risk developing cancer in your mouth, tongue, and throat if you smoke. In addition, your teeth can become heavily stained from the tar, which is not a very attractive sight.

Bonus Tips

There are a few other things you can do that contribute to good oral health, and they are simple to do.

Use the Right Toothbrush

Using the right toothbrush and replacing it every three months will remove more plaque every time you brush.

There are many fancy looking toothbrushes with bristles of all different shapes and sizes. It can be hard to know what is the most appropriate. The thing to remember is that the plaque and bacteria that grow on the teeth start off as very soft and sticky. This is the stage where the plaque should be brushed off. To do this, we only need a soft toothbrush. Brushing with a hard toothbrush will only damage the tooth enamel and the gums leading to thin enamel, thin gums, and sensitive teeth. If using an electric toothbrush, be sure to buy the sensitive head for the electric toothbrush. If using a manual toothbrush, get one with the softest bristles possible. We like the “slim soft” range made by Colgate, the soft Sensodyne toothbrushes, and the curaprox soft toothbrush range. When it comes to toothbrushes, the softer the bristles, the better! 

Use a Fluoride Toothpaste

Like toothbrushes, there is a wide choice of toothpaste to greet you in the store. To help fight tooth decay, choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride.

Fluoride is a mineral found in water and effectively fights tooth decay. So when you’re shopping for toothpaste, make sure it contains fluoride to maintain a healthy smile.

See the Dentist Every 6 Months for Regular Check-ups and Cleanings

Visiting your dentist twice a year means he can look for potential mouth health issues before they become problematic. 

During the check-up, the dentist will examine and clean your teeth, ensuring no problems, and check your mouth for any signs of oral cancer.

Summary

Having a healthy mouth means having a confident smile. It oozes magnetism, radiates charisma, and boosts self-esteem.

Getting and keeping a healthier mouth means flossing every day, being aware of the foods you eat, not smoking or chewing tobacco and brushing your teeth twice a day with the right toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

And a check-up with your dentist every six months will get your teeth cleaned and your mouth examined for potential health issues for your peace of mind.

You can then enjoy life with confidence!

Do you have any concerns with your teeth or oral hygiene? 

Book an appointment with Whitehorse Dental.