Excellent oral hygiene produces a significant result — a healthy mouth. This means:

• The teeth are free of debris and other contaminants
• The gums have their proper color and do not bleed when flossing or brushing
• You do not have bad breath

If your gums bleed or hurt when flossing or brushing, or you always have to deal with halitosis (bad breath), you need to book an appointment with the dentist as these conditions may indicate a deeper problem.

The dental expert or hygienist can inform you on the best practices for oral hygiene and guide you on the areas of your mouth that need careful attention when flossing or brushing.

Practicing good oral hygiene

The best care you can give your teeth and gums is to practice and maintain excellent oral health. Having healthy teeth is not only good for the feel and appearance of your smile, but also ensures that you can eat and talk with ease. Good dental health affects your overall well-being, as well.

Proper brushing and flossing are routine preventative care that can help avert dental issues before they start. It is also a cost-effective, less painful, and easier procedure than going through treatments to solve dental problems.

Beyond the regular visits to the dentist, there are simple home oral hygiene practices that we can adopt to significantly reduce the threat of gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental issues. The basics include:

Brushing and flossing

Experts recommend brushing at least twice daily and spending up to two minutes during the process. This will help you eliminate food particles that may be lurking in tooth crevices. Flossing should be done after meals to get rid of debris and plaque.

Eat Healthily

Try to avoid foods that contain lots of sugar, including soda, juice, and coffee. Candies (especially sour candies), desserts, and acidic fruit are unhealthy for the teeth. Foods high in sugar and starch create a breeding ground for bacteria, while acidic meals degrade the enamel.

Your diet should include green leafy vegetables, dairy, lean protein and nuts because they mineralize and strengthen the teeth.

Choose the right mouthwash

The mouthwash you use must be sugar-free and contain fluoride that will help eliminate any bacteria present and strengthen your teeth. You should rinse your mouth with the fluoride mouthwash after meals since it may not be possible to floss and brush every time, especially when you are away from home.

Use fluoride toothpaste

The toothpaste you brush with must contain fluoride. Fluoride helps to avert tooth decay by halting the degradation of the enamel and enhancing the rate of remineralization. The tooth enamel needs the shield because it is porous and can be penetrated by acids produced by plaque on the teeth.

Fluoride toothpaste helps prevent cavities because they strengthen weak areas of the tooth and exposed roots.

The bottom line

Practicing the basics of oral hygiene at home is essential to maintain proper oral health and ultimately, the overall well-being. Additionally, you should keep regular appointments with the dentist as a form of preventative care.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with You Smile Dental, request an appointment in our Santa Clara office here: https://yousmiledental.com. Or call us at (408) 361-8133.

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