Most of us have been taught to brush our teeth every day to keep our teeth clean. If only it were that simple to have perfectly healthy teeth. While brushing your teeth is essential for healthy teeth, it is not the only way we must take care of our mouths. There are other steps we can follow to improve our oral hygiene routine. Your dental team at Stonehenge Family & Cosmetic Dentistry can help guide you to a healthier mouth.
Floss Daily
Nearly every dentist will recommend flossing each day. This is because it is a vital step in your oral health routine. Even if you thoroughly brush your teeth, it is almost impossible to get all the plaque. Brushing alone is not enough to sufficiently remove plaque from your mouth.
Plaque is a type of sticky, harmful bacteria that clings to every surface in your mouth, especially your teeth. It can get between your teeth and underneath your gums. If you don’t floss, you won’t be able to get into those hard-to-reach areas. As a result, you are likely to develop tooth decay or gum disease.
Rinse Your Mouth After Eating
After you eat, you should consider rinsing your mouth out with water. This can help remove leftover food particles. Rinsing your mouth can reduce bad breath and even lower your risk of cavities. The bacteria in your mouth consume your leftover food particles, allowing them to multiply and destroy your enamel. When you rinse your mouth, you remove some of their food sources. This can keep your teeth healthy and your breath fresh.
Limit Your Sugar Intake
Limiting your sugar intake is one way that you can keep your mouth healthy. Sugar is a large food source for bacteria. When you eat sugar, the bacteria consume the leftover sugars in your mouth. As the bacteria eat the sugar, they form an acid that attacks your enamel. This is one of the ways that you can develop cavities. If you reduce the amount of sugar in your diet, you can reduce your chances of tooth decay.
Watch Out For Acids
In addition to sugar, you should also examine the amount of acid in your diet. For example, sodas, coffee, and wine are all popular beverages that contain high amounts of acid. The acid found in many foods and drinks can slowly erode your enamel.
Don’t Use Your Teeth As Tools
Many of us are guilty of using our teeth to open a package. Generally, it is more convenient to use our mouths, especially when there are no scissors near us. However, this can damage your teeth and oral health. When you use your teeth as tools, you are at risk of chipping or breaking your teeth. Additionally, you can get some of the packaging stuck between your teeth, making it necessary to see your dentist.
In addition, you can put your overall health at risk. When you place non-food items in your mouth, you are placing foreign germs in your body. For example, you may hold your keys in your mouth while you bring in groceries. Unfortunately, your keys rarely get sanitized, meaning they are full of germs that can make you sick.