woman holding tooth brush

Most people do not understand how important it is to keep our oral hygiene. Neglected teeth can lead to problems like teeth loss, gum infections and the inability to eat. This can also lead to mouth odors and cause overall discomfort to an individual.

It is recommended to visit your dentist at least once a year for a periodic checkup. The dentist will be able to advise you about oral health. The dentist will diagnose any future oral problem and treat before the situation worsens. Here are some tips one needs to consider if they were to keep their oral hygiene.

Proper Brushing

tooth brush and dental hygieneHold the toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees near the gum and brush up and down carefully avoiding causing damage to the gums. Use back and forth to clean the outer part of the teeth. Repeat the same process when cleaning the inside part of the teeth. Also, clean the upper part of the mouth and tongue to remove bacteria that cause bad breath.

Brush teeth twice in a day especially after meals and rinse the mouth thoroughly. Make sure to change your toothbrush after every three months. Always clean and rinse the toothbrush thoroughly after use and keep it upright to dry.

FLOSSING and Using Mouthwash

Flossing removes food particles that regular brush cannot remove. It penetrates between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing should be done in a backward and forward motion. It is recommended to do flossing at least one in a day.

Mouthwash will penetrate where the toothbrush and flossing cannot reach thereby killing the bacteria causing gum infections and gingivitis. Choose mouthwash with Listerine to maintain good breath and strong teeth.

Sodas, Alcohol, Tobacco and Coffee

woman smookingLimit use of sodas, coffee, alcohol and any other drink that contains phosphorous as these will cause problems like teeth decay. Some beverages cause teeth discoloration thereby making cleaning difficult. Use of tobacco products causes oral cancer and other dental complications.

Tobacco causes stains to our teeth making them difficult to clean. Smoking limits the growth of blood vessels. Granulated foods commonly known as sucrose is the leading cause of teeth decay.It is recommended to avoid foods with a lot of sugar like candies and sweets.

Check Calcium Level

Calcium is good for the development of our teeth and bones, and therefore it is recommended to take foods rich in calcium. Dairy foods like milk and yogurt are rich in calcium and vitamin D needed for maintaining strong and healthy teeth.