There is a Chinese saying that troubles come out of the mouth, and diseases get in from the mouth. Brushing our teeth correctly every day is not only a way to keep our mouths healthy but also a way to keep our whole bodies healthy. When we brush our teeth correctly, we eliminate the plaque building up and bacteria that could otherwise collect between our teeth and on our tongue. Thus, it prevents tooth decay and gum disease while promoting a better immune system and healthier lifestyle. While some people will get regular tooth polishing from their dentist (be it one at DentEssential or elsewhere) to help with this, it is also important to keep up the work yourself. This article focuses on how to keep a healthy mouth.
Use the Right Tools
The type of toothbrush we should use is quite a personal choice. Some of us swear by electric toothbrushes, but others prefer the simplicity of manual toothbrushes. Nevertheless, we should always use soft-bristled toothbrushes to clean our teeth and replace the toothbrushes at least every three months or when the bristles begin to fray as the worn toothbrushes could damage our teeth.
Do not Forget Floss
Many of us who brush our teeth regularly neglect to floss. To floss our teeth is not just to get the little pieces of food stuck in between our teeth. Our toothbrushes cannot reach all the areas of our mouths easily. Flossing our teeth each day is the best way for us to achieve a completely clean mouth. Flossing could also stimulate our gums, reduce plaque build-up between our teeth leading to cavities, and help reduce inflammation in the area. Usually, flossing once daily is enough to get these benefits.
Apply the Proper Brushing Technique
The American Dental Association advises brushing our teeth twice a day and each for 2 minutes. Usually, properly brushing our teeth takes at least two minutes, but most of us fall short of that. The proper brushing technique is:
- Place the toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees to our gums;
- Sweep or roll it away from the gum-lines and do not brush up;
- Gently move the toothbrush back and forth with short and tooth-wide strokes;
- Brush throughout outer surfaces, inner surfaces, and also chewing surfaces of our teeth;
- Tilt the toothbrush vertically to make some up-and-down strokes when cleaning the inner surfaces of our front teeth;
- Gently brush the tongue to eliminate the bacteria and freshen breath.
Choose the Right Type of Toothpaste
It does matter to choose the right type of toothpaste that could be a good fit for us to have a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile. There are varieties of toothpaste in the market designed for many conditions that consumers have, such as being prone to tartar, cavities, gingivitis, teeth with high sensitivity, and stained teeth. If we are not sure what type of toothpaste is the right one to use, ask the dentist for help at the next dental appointment.
Use Mouthwash
While advertisements make out mouthwash to be a necessity for a healthy mouth, many of us skip it because we don’t know how it works. As a whole, mouthwash helps keep a healthy mouth in three ways:
- Lower the acid in our mouth;
- Clean the hard-to-brush areas around or in the gums;
- Re-mineralize our teeth.
In short, mouthwash is a useful adjunct tool to help make things into balance for a healthy mouth.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Although brushing our teeth is very important, it is not enough. Keep in mind that eating a healthy diet to have a healthy mouth is just as crucial in taking care of our teeth as brushing the teeth. A well-rounded diet could set the stage for successful health throughout our entire body. There is no doubt that the healthier diet we are having, the less plaque build-up will need to remove from our teeth when we come to clean our teeth. For a healthy mouth, try to include the following foods into our diet:
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Leafy greens
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Eggs
- Water
