Basic Dental Care For Lifelong Healthy Teeth

Maintaining your teeth healthy requires a lifetime of care, and even if you’re confident about your smile, it’s essential to stay on top of your cleaning routine. Read on to learn about the importance of practicing dental care.

Why Does Oral Health Matter?

Some people underestimate the importance of oral health because they don’t value it as much as their physical health; however, there’s a correlation between the two. Your mouth is the gateway to your digestive and respiratory tracts, and if you don’t brush your teeth, bacteria will grow, and it may cause complications. Practicing dental care not only makes your smile attractive, but it also prevents diseases.

Here are three tips you can follow to keep your teeth and overall health in top shape.

1. Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day to prevent permanent staining and plaque build-up. Ideally, we should brush our teeth after every meal. However, this expectation can be unrealistic because there isn’t always a bathroom nearby. Brushing your teeth every morning and night is enough to combat germs.

2. Use Appropriate Brushing Techniques

It’s not just about brushing your teeth; it’s about how you clean them. Brushing them improperly is as bad as not brushing them at all.
To brush your teeth properly, you will need to brush them in a circular motion. Reach for the outer surfaces, inner surfaces, and chewing surfaces. Make sure you brush them for a full two minutes. Don’t forget to brush your tongue at the end to prevent bad breath.

Always brush your teeth gently and slowly, so you don’t make your gums bleed. Replace your toothbrush every four months.

3. Prioritize Flossing

Many people who do an excellent job at brushing their teeth forget one last important step: flossing. Flossing isn’t just about removing pieces of food stuck in between your teeth; it’s meant to stimulate your gums, reduce plaque, and prevent gum inflammation. Best of all, you only need to do it once a day.

Flossing can be difficult for some people, such as children and older adults with arthritis. If one of the following conditions applies to you, consider specialized flossing options.

You have braces: Try a floss with a stiff end that you can thread beneath the wire of your braces.
You struggle to manipulate floss: Try an electric flosser that provides the perfect amount of pressure to make your gums stimulated.

You have a child: Teach your kids how to floss when they’re toddlers, so it becomes habitual. Remember, they’re likely to complain about pain, so be gentle with them and reward them with a small gift for forming a healthy habit.

Contact Oral & Facial Surgery of Utah

Practicing simple dental care can keep a host of problems at bay, but as you grow older, the likelihood of problems increases. If you’ve been referred to an oral surgeon by your dentist, the board-certified oral surgeons at Oral & Facial Surgery of Utah can provide you with care. We specialize in jaw surgery, wisdom teeth removal, TMJ treatment, and more. Schedule your consultation today.