Learn our top dental hygiene tips for your smile
A healthy smile can truly do wonders for your life. And it all begins with a great oral care routine. Read on to learn how you can achieve better oral health and an increased sense of well-being with a healthy smile.
The Basics Of Brushing and Flossing
Brushing and flossing are really important daily habits for maintaining good oral hygiene. Apart from preventing plaque formation and maintaining good breath, brushing and flossing regularly keeps your oral health in check, and gum disease at bay.
If you find brushing a chore, consider switching to an electric toothbrush for an easier and more convenient way to maintain good brushing habits. Simply glide your electric toothbrush gently over your teeth, and focus on one section of your mouth for 30 seconds at a time.
That being said, no brushing routine is complete without fluoride toothpaste. In fact, it has numerous benefits for your teeth, including cavity prevention, strengthening weakened tooth enamel and limiting the growth of harmful bacteria in your mouth.
Choosing the Right Oral Care Tools
For a smile that truly dazzles, it’s important to select the best oral care tools to keep your oral hygiene in tip-top shape.
Selecting the right toothbrush to use can be challenging, given the variety customers have in the market. Manual toothbrushes may be the more commonly sought after option given how readily they are available on supermarket shelves. However, they have their limitations. Using a manual toothbrush may increase the chances of overbrushing, or to know how long you have brushed for.
Electric toothbrushes on the other hand are packed with features and benefits that will leave you with much better oral health in the long run. These include built-in smart timers that help you brush for as long as is recommended by dentists, and prevent overbrushing by simply gliding your brush over your teeth. With a deeper clean, this helps eliminate plaque and food more effectively. It’s no wonder that more people are making the switch to an electric toothbrush, given the numerous benefits they have for your oral health.
And for plaque-free smiles, don’t forget to floss! If you spot an unwelcome piece of spinach stuck in between your teeth, there’s always floss picks you can carry in your bag for such moments. Slide the floss between your teeth and gums using an up and down motion, and rinse your mouth after.
To reach difficult areas in your mouth, you may wish to incorporate a water flosser into your New Smile Ritual. Using its slim head and powerful stream of water, a water flosser is able to easily dislodge food from your teeth and around your gums, and keep your teeth healthy.
Maximising Oral Care with Mouthwash
Got a case of bad breath? Using mouthwash can give you fresher breath all day long, especially after meals. In fact, it can prevent plaque and tartar build-up, and contribute to better oral health in the long run.
Choosing the right type of mouthwash is key to helping you have better breath, so you can impress anyone with a fresh smile! For instance, you can choose a mouthwash with Xylitol – a natural sugar that removes bad breath and doesn’t leave a burning sensation in your mouth. To ensure your mouthwash gives you the most effective clean, swish it around and gargle for 30 seconds before spitting it out.
A balanced diet for better oral health
Basically, what you eat and drink affects your teeth. Those sugary treats and soda we all love? Those might taste good and satisfy our cravings, but can often cause tooth decay and gum disease. Having a balanced diet can contribute to better oral health and keep your teeth clean and healthy for a long time to come.
Foods that promote healthy teeth include fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy products. Leafy greens are high in calcium, and contribute to building your teeth enamel. And if you’re a cheese lover, you’re in luck because key nutrients like calcium and protein are definitely good for your smile.
Don't forget your tongue and gums
While a toothbrush helps with cleaning your teeth, the surface of your tongue actually collects bacteria and food particles every day. If these nasties are not removed, such bacteria can produce sulphur compounds which can cause your breath to smell bad. After brushing your teeth, an easy way to clean your tongue is to use the tongue cleaner on your brush head for removing any gunk.
Regular Dental Checkups Are A Must
Visiting a dental professional regularly can keep your teeth healthy and your smile fresh.
During your dental appointment, the dentist not only cleans your teeth. They can even detect cavities and gum disease early, and review your oral hygiene habits. These contribute to preventive care, and can ensure that your smile is protected for life. Although visiting the dentist is good for our oral health, some of us may have a fear of going to the dentist. If you have such phobias, just take deep breaths and know that the dentist is there to help you achieve a healthier smile!
