Poor oral hygiene practices, changing food habits, and certain lifestyle practices like smoking affect dental health. Taking care of your oral health is essential to boosting your confidence and realizing excellent overall health; poor oral health can result in gum disease, cavities, halitosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. While it is commonly known that flossing and brushing can ensure proper oral health, practicing them alone does not guarantee you optimal dental health. This blog will teach you different ways to keep your teeth healthy and clean.

Using Fluoridated Toothpaste

Toothpaste with fluoride can harden the teeth's enamel. Fluoride also lowers the likelihood of tooth cavities.

Fluoride is a chemical ion of fluorine and a leading element in Earth’s crust. Ions can be positively or negatively charged atoms, enabling elements to merge with others. When fluorine, which is negatively charged, combines with a positively charged ion, it establishes a strong cavity complex.

Using this type of fluoride component in the mouth will assist you in preventing tooth decay and strengthening your teeth. Some professionals believe it may enable a person to reverse the onset of an early tooth cavity.

Brushing Your Teeth

You should brush at least twice daily using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Medium or hard bristles may damage your gums and tooth enamel, mainly if you apply a lot of pressure when brushing.

You should brush your teeth at least twice every day for two minutes. If you brush for less than two minutes, you will not eliminate the maximum plaque from your teeth.

Ensure you replace the toothbrush once its bristles wear out, fray, or bend. Even when the bristles are not frayed, you should replace the toothbrush every four months.

The proper brushing method consists of the following:

  • Hold the toothbrush to the gums at a 45-degree angle

  • Move the toothbrush to and fro in short strokes

  • Brush the outer surfaces, inner areas, and your teeth’s chewing surfaces

  • While cleaning the inner surfaces of the frontal teeth, tilt the toothbrush straight up and make several upwards and downwards strokes.

  • Remember to brush the tongue — Your tongue retains bacteria like a sponge. You can brush it with a toothbrush or tongue scraper.

  • Rinse the toothbrush once you are done and store it upright. If you live with a roommate, spouse, or loved one and store your toothbrushes in the same place, ensure they do not touch one another. Allow the toothbrush to air dry instead of keeping it enclosed in a toothbrush holder.

Avoid overbrushing. It could wear down your tooth’s enamel. When your tooth enamel is absent, it exposes dentin. Dentin has small holes that lead to nerve endings, and when triggered, you might experience tooth sensitivity and pain.

Benefits of brushing include the following:

  • Prevents gum disease and cavities, among other oral health conditions

  • Avoids bad breath

  • Saves money — Prevention is better than a cure. Toothbrushing daily prevents expensive health issues in the future and leaves you with pocket-friendly dental bills.

  • Reduces the potential risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, and oral cancer

Regular Flossing

When you fail to floss, plaque may accumulate along the gumline and between the teeth. Over time, it can increase the risk of developing gum disease and tooth cavities. Flossing removes debris and plaque from regions that your toothbrush cannot reach.

Plaque is a colorless, sticky film that builds between and around the teeth and the gumline after bacteria in the mouth mix with sugary and starchy drinks and foods. The bacteria emit acids, which break down carbohydrates, damaging your tooth enamel.

You should floss your teeth once a day. Some individuals floss during the morning, while others prefer to do it before going to bed. However, it is wise to floss the teeth before brushing. Flossing loosens plaque and food particles around the teeth, while brushing removes the particles and plaque around your teeth.

For optimal oral health, you should do the following:

  • Cut off floss that is 18 inches. It can seem like a lot, but it gives you sufficient grip and cleans every tooth effectively.

  • Wrap the floss — Wrap most of your floss around your middle finger and a portion of your finger on the other hand. Spare an inch or two between your hands to work with.

  • Slide the dental floss between your teeth — Gently slide your floss in between your teeth with back-and-forth motions. You should not snap the floss because it may harm the gums. Wrap the floss into a semicircle shape around each tooth after getting to your gum line to thoroughly clean your tooth.

  • Clean all sides — You must floss every tooth’s side. Move the floss upwards and downwards, ensuring you reach all tooth surfaces, especially the difficult-to-clean places, like the back teeth.

  • Be gentle — Avoid applying excess pressure when your gums are sensitive. If you suffer from bleeding, do not be scared; it can be a symptom of gum inflammation that should disappear over time.

Types of Dental Floss

There are two types of regular dental floss: unwaxed and waxed. Selecting between the two is determined by your personal preference, since there is no variation in efficiency between the two. A wax coating slides into tight spaces more easily for crowded teeth.

A person with bridges, gaps, or braces should consider a super floss. The floss has a normal floss thread, a threader that has a stiff point, and spongy floss.

If you feel conventional floss is challenging to use, you could try alternatives like an air flosser, an interdental brush, and a water flosser. They permit the usage of small brushes identical to a mascara stick, air, or water to clean between the teeth.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is a primary cause of preventable death in the United States, causing at least 480,000 deaths annually. It can cause numerous diseases and be problematic for all body organs. Regarding oral health, it can do the following:

  • Make your breath stink

  • Lead to gum infections, tooth decay, and periodontal disease

  • Cause tooth loss

  • Result in oral cancer

Tobacco use also makes it challenging for your immune system to fight diseases and infections. It slows down recovery after sustaining mouth injuries or tooth removal. Smoking can result in the following:

  • Increased pain following an oral surgical procedure

  • Dry socket

  • Reduced success rate if you have dental implants

If you still smoke, the initial step to take is to quit smoking. Smoking stains tooth enamel over time. Fortunately, you can reverse some effects using whitening treatment options, including those from your dentist and over-the-counter.

Healthy Foods and Beverages for Strong Teeth

Foods and drinks with excellent oral health benefits include the following:

Foods Rich in Calcium and Phosphorus

Calcium and phosphorus keep your teeth healthy and firm. These minerals function together to safeguard tooth enamel. Foods rich in calcium and phosphorus include the following:

  • Nuts — Nuts are fantastic alternatives to fight dry mouth. They also provide protein that strengthens your teeth.

  • Leafy greens like broccoli, spinach and kale

  • Eggs — Eating eggs, especially those with yolks, gives your teeth the proper quantity of phosphorus.

  • Fatty fish like sardines and salmon

Dairy Products for Healthy Teeth

Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are loaded with calcium and phosphorus, which keep your tooth enamel strong. Calcium rebuilds enamel, while phosphate balances your mouth’s pH level, lessening the risk of tooth damage or decay.

Yogurt contains probiotics (good bacteria) that overpower harmful bacteria that cause cavities. You should opt for plain, unsweetened yogurt to avoid added sugars that may damage your teeth. Consider adding fresh fruit to make it sweeter.

Cheese increases saliva production, which washes away bacteria and food particles. Saliva also neutralizes acids in your mouth, safeguarding teeth from acidic erosion. You can eat small amounts of cheese after meals to keep your teeth healthy and strong.

Vitamin-Loaded Foods For Optimal Dental Health

Vitamins, mainly vitamin C, are essential for preserving gum health and repairing tissues, keeping your gums strong and healthy. Vitamin-dense foods include the following:

  • Berries — Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries have many antioxidants and vitamins that benefit your gums.

  • Citrus fruits — Eating lemons, oranges, and grapefruits benefits your gums and prevents gum issues like gingivitis.

  • Kiwi

  • Red and green bell peppers

Drinking Water

The only drink that is safe and beneficial for your teeth is non-sparkling (plain) water in the following ways:

  • It does not have calories — Sweetened beverages increase your risk of developing tooth cavities and other unhealthy effects.

  • Good hydration supports the optimal function of your salivary glands; the body cannot generate sufficient saliva when dehydrated. When the saliva supply is low, you risk having a dry mouth and higher chances of developing tooth cavities.

  • Drinking fluoridated water strengthens your teeth.

Limit the Intake of Certain Drinks

The lower a drink’s pH, the higher its acidity. Highly acidic beverages cause the erosion of your teeth’s enamel. The most acidic beverages are those with sugar sweeteners. They include soft beverages like sports drinks, diet soda, and energy beverages, including sweet and iced tea.

Juices from grapefruits, lemons, and oranges are also high in citric acid. On the other hand, apples, pears, and pear juices are less acidic.

Although kombucha and tea have antioxidants, they are highly acidic and can damage teeth.

Whole Grains

Whole grains contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that keep teeth and gums healthy.

Make Regular Dental Visits

You should visit your dentist twice a year. Unfortunately, most individuals underestimate the importance of routine oral check-ups and only seek dental care once they experience discomfort or pain. Discussed below are compelling reasons why you should schedule routine dental appointments.

Offers Preventive Care

During the dental appointment, the dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and mouth to identify any symptoms of oral issues. They can also provide professional teeth cleaning to extract tartar and plaque buildup, which could result in tooth damage and gum disease. By tackling these problems early, you may prevent more complex and expensive treatments over time.

Routine Dental Exams Help Detect Oral Cancer

Mouth cancer is a severe health scare. Regular dental checkups can spot mouth cancer early, and your dentist can recommend the appropriate treatment promptly. Symptoms of mouth cancer can include unusual bleeding, sores that do not heal, or white spots on the gums. Routine dental appointments include tissue and gum examinations that ensure your mouth tissues are healthy and that you do not have non-malignant tissues that may require biopsies.

Prevents Tooth Damage with Professional Cleanings

Even individuals who brush and floss meticulously need professional teeth cleaning at least twice yearly. Over time, plaque accumulates in difficult-to-access areas; if you fail to remove it, it could harden and become tartar. Brushing and flossing alone cannot remove tartar. Therefore, regular dental checkups allow the dentist to remove plaque and tartar that have accumulated since your last visit. The procedure prevents tooth decay, cavities, and severe oral health problems like gingivitis.

Assesses Past Dental Work

Some oral work may break down with time, so inspecting past dental work is critical. During regular appointments, your dentist can distinguish between ordinary wear and tear and more severe problems and recommend measures to fortify or sometimes replace the treatment option previously used.

Using Mouthwash

Rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash allows you to reach inaccessible regions using a toothbrush. Antimicrobial mouthwashes reduce plaque biofilm, hence preventing periodontal disease. It also has tooth-whitening potential and prevents halitosis.

Your preferences determine whether you should rinse your mouth after or before brushing your teeth. Nonetheless, to get the most from the product, manufacturers recommend a certain order for use, hinging on the ingredients.

Find a Skilled and Knowledgeable Preventive Dentistry Expert Near Me

Protecting your teeth is an investment in your life that can last a lifetime when done appropriately. However, achieving a gorgeous smile and optimal dental health requires a consistent preventative care routine. Valencia Advanced Dentistry at Copperhill Smiles is committed to guiding you in maintaining and establishing practices that protect your oral and overall health. We can monitor your mouth's condition through open communication, professional cleanings, and examinations, and empower you and your family with personalized recommendations. That way, we can identify issues before they escalate, potentially requiring expensive treatment. Please contact our Santa Clarita office at 661-775-7717 to book your initial consultation to learn more and get answers to your questions.