Brush your teeth twice a day, daily
The American Dental Association recommends that a person should brush their teeth twice a day, every day. Some experts recommend brushing your teeth after every meal in order to remove any food debris.
However, make sure to avoid brushing right after eating or drinking something acidic as this may cause the enamel of your teeth to break down.
Don’t forget the tongue
Invest in a toothbrush with a built-in tongue scraper. There may be bacteria harboring on the surface of your tongue that can harm your gums or teeth.
Use the right toothbrush and toothpaste
Make sure to use a toothpaste that has fluoride in it, which can help make enamel more resistant to bacteria. Also, use a toothbrush with soft and thin bristles that can be able to reach some areas of the gumline.
Replace your toothbrush: If the bristles of your brush start to appear flat or uneven, it’s time to buy a new toothbrush.
Technique is key
Take your time whenever you brush your teeth. If you rush things, you might end up not properly cleaning your teeth. Also, observe a proper tooth brushing technique:
- Remember to place your toothbrush at an angle, about 45 degrees, from your gumline.
- Make sure to brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of your teeth.
- Clean the inner surfaces of your teeth by angling your brush vertically, and brushing up and down.
Basics of flossing
If you don’t floss, then you might want to look into building the habit. Flossing cleans the in-between surfaces of your teeth and under the gumline, which are areas that are prone to plaque build-up. If you decide to start flossing, here are a few tips to remember:
- Be gentle: Use a back and forth motion to slowly ease the floss between your teeth. Snapping it down might cause pain and bleeding gums.
- Do it for each tooth: Make sure to floss between all the spaces of each tooth. This may seem like a lot of work, but it’ll only take two minutes tops!
- Do it every day: Building the habit of flossing once a day can have positive effects on your gum health, and the overall health of your mouth.
Other ways you can take care of your gum health:
Stop smoking
Smoking can make your body’s immune system weaker, which makes it less effective against infections. If you already have gum disease, smoking can make it more difficult for the infection to heal.
Key Takeaways
What habits can help keep teeth and gums healthy? Proper, basic brushing and flooding of the teeth can do wonders. For smokers, getting rid of tobacco for good can also help improve the health of your gums.
Learn more about Oral Health here.
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