Getting healthy teeth requires a lot of care. Even if you’ve been told you have great teeth, it’s imperative that you take the necessary steps to ensure you can prevent the problems that occur. To ensure your teeth stay in tip-top shape, Austin Family Dentist (a dentist in Austin, Texas) is taking you through a guide that introduces you to the best practices of oral care.
Nailing each of these (or most) can ensure you have a bright smile at all times!
1. Don’t Sleep Without Brushing Your Teeth
This is one of the oldest pieces of advice in the book. Every dentist recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day. But even though we’ve all heard this one before, most of us neglect brushing our teeth before we go to sleep. Brushing your teeth before you go to bed ensures that you can get rid of the germs and plaque that tend to accumulate throughout the day.
2. Brush Well
How you brush your teeth is important, too. In fact, according to dentists in Austin, Texas, doing a bad job of brushing your teeth is almost as bad as not brushing them at all. Move the toothbrush gently, take your time and make circular motions clockwise and anti-clockwise to ensure you’ve removed all of the plaque. Unremoved impurities in your teeth can harden, which can cause gingivitis (gum disease) and calculus buildup.
3. The Tongue Is Important, Too!
Your tongue also has a lot of plaque! Not only can this cause a bad smell in your mouth, but it can also cause other oral health-related problems. Whenever you brush your teeth, gently brush your tongue from the back of your toothbrush. Most toothbrushes have ridges at the back, which can be used to clean your tongue. If you don’t have one, get one!
4. Ensure Your Toothpaste Has Fluoride
When you’re choosing toothpaste, dentists in Austin, Texas, recommend that you look for fluoride rather than a specific flavor or whitening potential. No matter which toothpaste you choose, its constituents are the most important element you should consider! Even though fluoride has been under fire for how it can affect other areas in the human body, it is a crucial element if you’re trying to keep your teeth healthy.
Fluoride fights the germs in our teeth, and it also significantly reduces the speed of tooth decay by being a protective barrier for your teeth.
5. Flossing And Brushing Both Are Important
Several of us who brush neglect the importance of flossing. According to dentists in Austin, Texas, not only are you getting rid of plaque by flossing, but you’re also stimulating your gums, reducing the inflammation in your teeth, and reducing plaque at the same time. You’ll just have to floss once a day to reap the benefits!
6. Don’t Let Flossing Difficulties Be a Barrier
For a person who has arthritis, elderly people, or children, flossing can be a problem. But in a situation like this, rather than giving up, look for different tools that can help you floss easily. You can get a ready-to-use dental flosser from a medical store, and it will make a huge difference!
7. Use Mouthwash
Advertisements on the television consistently communicate that mouthwash is vital if you want good oral health, and this is not deceptive advertising! Several people consider ignoring mouthwash because they don’t seem to understand how they work. According to dentists in Austin, Texas, mouthwash can help in three ways:
- It reduces the quantity of acid in your mouth,
- It cleans the areas in your mouth that are hard-to-brush and your gums
- Re-mineralizes your teeth
A mouthwash can also help people who have trouble brushing their teeth, for instance: children and older people. Ask dentists in Austin, Texas, like Austin Family Dentist, for a mouthwash recommendation and then follow the usage schedule diligently. Specific brands are best for children or those who have specific teeth.
8. Drink More Water
There’s a reason water is the best beverage for your overall health. As a rule of thumb, remember to drink water after every meal. This will help wash out some of the adverse effects of acidic or sticky foods and beverages.
9. Eat Vegetables and Fruits
Food items that are ready to eat can be convenient, but they may not be that helpful for your teeth. Crunchy vegetables and fruits contain healthy fiber and have several vitamins that are beneficial for your whole body altogether. Dentists in Austin, Texas recommend that you get your kids to eat hard-to-eat crunchy vegetables and fruits from a young age. Try to avoid stuff that is excessively processed and stop having bite-sized versions of everything!
Get your jaws moving!
10. Reduce Acidic and Sugary Foods
When sugar goes into your mouth, it converts into acid, which erodes the enamel of your teeth. These acids eventually cause cavities in our mouth which are annoying to deal with. Coffee, tea, and acidic fruits can also damage the enamel on your teeth. While we don’t want you to avoid food items like these altogether, it certainly won’t hurt to try something else!
11. Visit Your Dentist At Least Twice a Year
At the end of the day, your habits are what impact your teeth the most. If you’re chugging down sugary items and acidic food items daily, you might have to visit your dentist more than twice a year. However, even the most punctual flossers and brushers have to see a dentist regularly too. At the very least, you should visit your dentist in Austin, Texas, twice a year.
Not only can dentists remove calculus and find cavities in your teeth, but they can also spot and save you from potential health issues like and suggest treatment options. Some dental insurance companies can also cover your regular checkups with the dentist. If you can, make sure you do!
Conclusion
Austin Family Dentist specializes in all things dentistry which is why we were awarded the Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite for 2019! If you’re trying to ensure your teeth stay in brilliant shape, contact Austin Family Dentist by calling 512-346-5739 or fill out a form by clicking here.