Given that you care for them accordingly, your gums and teeth can stay healthy all throughout your life. The healthier your teeth and gums are, the lesser risk you’ll have for developing gum disease and tooth decay.
Take proper care of both your teeth and gums by keeping in mind the following dental care basics:
Brushing
Ideally, you should brush at least twice daily. When possible, brush after each meal. To brush:
- Dab a pea-sized toothpaste on a toothbrush with soft bristles.
- The toothbrush should be against the teeth at a 45-degree angle (up to the gum line).
- Brush across the teeth using small circular motions. Refrain from pressing hard and allow the bristles to reach spaces in between your teeth.
- Brush across the top of the teeth’s chewing surfaces. Ensure that the bristles also reach the teeth crevices and grooves.
- Don’t forget to also give your tongue a few gentle strokes. Brush from the back of the tongue forward and do not scrub.
- After brushing for 2 to 3 minutes, rinse with water.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.
Flossing
Floss the teeth at least once daily. Flossing is effective at removing plaque and food stuck between the teeth or at places the toothbrush can’t reach. To floss:
- Use at least an 18-inch strip of floss.
- Wind the floss on the middle fingers of both hands. Leave an inch of section opening for flossing.
- Floss the top first, the bottom next.
- Ensure you do not push too hard when flossing so you don’t injure the gums.
- Floss between each teeth. Also, don’t neglect areas situated behind the back teeth.
Rinsing
Mouthwashes can do more than just freshen one’s breath. Rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash at least once daily can also kill bacteria that causes gum disease and plaque. A fluoride rinse can also help prevent cavities and tooth decay. Other rinses are designed to do both.
When using mouthwashes, you don’t have to be particular about rinsing before or after brushing. Either way is actually fine. In addition, when rinsing, make sure you swish the mouthwash in the mouth for at least 30 to 60 seconds.
Eating
To achieve good dental health, minimise the consumption of foods that contain starches and sugar. These foods produce the most acids that can linger in the mouth and damage the teeth.
Constant snacking on foods can also lead to tooth decay especially if you don’t brush regularly. As a general rule of thumb, minimise, if not avoid snacking on the following:
- Pie, cookies, cakes, and candies
- Chips, breadsticks, and crackers
- Sugary gums
- Raisins and dried fruits
Dentist
Visiting the dentist at least once every six months is considered ideal to ensure optimum dental health. Fortunately nowadays, exceptional dental clinics like 1728 Tampines Dental Clinic are available to help patients take care of their dental health accordingly.
Routine visits to competent clinics like 1728 Tampines Dental Clinic can also help warrant any possible dental issues are detected early so they are addressed right away before they escalate.
