Good dental hygiene is equal parts of what you do and don’t do. Our teeth are the most-used parts of our entire body and keeping them clean and healthy is crucial. Therefore, knowing what to do and what not to do can mean a huge difference between having the brightest smile and harming your confidence.
Don’t Do These
It’s the little things you think don’t matter that can undo your efforts at good hygiene and put your teeth at risk of damage, tooth decay, or worse. To ensure your habits are practised daily and are not threatening to your oral health, we recommend that you:
- Don’t scrub your teeth too hard to get them cleaner – harsh scrubbing can strip your teeth of enamel.
- Don’t assume your teeth are healthy – without professional check-up, dental issues can develop and progress far before you notice them.
- Don’t skip a brushing or flossing – plaque doesn’t take long to form, and it doesn’t take long to harden into tartar that your toothbrush can’t remove.
- Don’t ignore your diet – drinking alcohol or soda too often can lead to dry mouth, tooth decay, and other oral problems.
- Don’t use a hard-bristled toothbrush – these bristles can sometimes be painful and cause the gum line to recede.
- Don’t skip brushing or flossing – even if you’re busy or feeling tired, make sure to brush at least twice a day, while flossing can help to dislodge food particles trapped between your teeth.
- Don’t forget to wear a mouth guard – some sports have the tendency or potential for dental injuries and wearing one can protect your pearly whites.
- Don’t smoke – smoking can discolour your teeth and increase the likelihood of tooth decay.
Do These Instead
The ultimate goal behind good dental hygiene is to control plaque build-up on your teeth and maintain the health of your gums. To combat plaque:
- Do brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily, especially after breakfast in the morning and at night before bedtime.
- Do eat a well-balanced breakfast before brushing your teeth in the morning (this will kick-start your flow of saliva, which neutralizes and rinses away bacteria).
- Do attend a dental check-up and cleaning as often as your dentist recommends.
- Do refrain from excessive consumption of sugary and acidic foods and beverages (these can erode the strong, protective layer of enamel around your teeth).
- Do eat healthily as part of your dental care routine by making smart food choices each day (sweet, sticky foods are the worst offenders and will contribute to cavities).
- Do use a soft-bristled toothbrush. These bristles are easier on gums and they make it easier to reach under the gums.
- Do take steps to stop any night-time teeth grinding. You won’t be able to cure it on your own, but you can discuss with your dentist on what your best method of treatment will be.
- Do go to the dentist once every six months. Not only will you get your teeth cleaned, but the dentist will be able to check your mouth for tooth decay, gum diseases, or any other potential problems.
You can ask your friendly neighbourhood dentist for more information on oral healthcare. Alternatively, you can also refer to the dental professionals at Artius Dental Group as they are more than happy to answer your questions.