6 Best Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Oral disease, such as tooth decay and gum disease, affect 3.5 billion people worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO indicates that these conditions can be preventable if these diseases are treated in the early stages.

Following good dental hygiene is necessary to ensure optimal oral health and to do that, you must practice the best teeth and gum care habits, especially ones that a Chadstone dentist will advise you to follow.

The good news is, we have laid out these tips for you as below:

6 Best Tips to Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums

Here are six easy-to-follow tips that a Chadstone dentist will advise you to do conduct regularly to ensure you have optimal dental health.

1) Brush your teeth regularly, but not vigorously.

Brushing twice a day should be the primary dental care practice we must observe no matter what. In fact, this may only be the only oral care habit we can do every day. However, no matter how basic and common this habit might be, chances are, there are some things we are not yet still aware of.

Do you know that there is a proper brushing technique that will make brushing successful? The proper brushing technique involves circular motions while ensuring that the front, back, and sides are covered. It also needs to be done between 2 to 3 minutes.

And did you know that using a soft-bristled brush is better than medium and hard ones and that you should never brush your teeth vigorously? If you brush aggressively with a toothbrush that has medium or firm bristles, your tooth enamel and gum may be damaged, resulting in irreversible tooth sensitivity and gum erosion.

2) Use toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride.

Fluoride is essential for your teeth, there are two ways that you expose your teeth to appropriate fluoride levels. One, is using a toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride, and the other is to have a fluoridated water supply.

Based on the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHRMC), nearly 89% of Australians have fluoridated water supply in their respective homes. This is because it reduces the chances of tooth decay caused by cavities.

Hence, always ensure that purchased toothpaste and mouthwash used should have fluoride else; you will be a step closer to getting that dreaded tooth decay.

3) Floss at least once a day

Are you aware that a tooth has more than one surface? In fact, it has five, an ordinary toothbrush can only reach three of these surfaces. The other surfaces are the sides of the tooth that even soft-bristled toothbrushes cannot easily reach.

And because of that, we need to floss at least once a day to remove any gunk or food lodged between our teeth. With the help of flossing, it will be easy to eliminate dirt and food that gets stuck between your teeth. If that residue remains between your teeth, it may become a breeding place for bacteria where plaque forms.

To ensure you remove stuck food successfully, make sure to gently push the floss all the way down to the gum line before moving it in up and down movements while hugging the side of the tooth.

4) Get a regular checkup with your trusted dentist.

You may have underlying dental conditions that only your trusted dentist can detect and prevent from becoming a bigger problem. That is why scheduling regular visits, at least once every six months, is highly encouraged by every dentist, so they can clean your teeth and remove plaque and tartar build-ups before it develops into cavities.

Your number of visits will still depend on the advice of your dentist. If you want to be sure, you must always regularly visit your dentist, so they can give appropriate advice on how often you should get your teeth checked.

And of course, you should see a dentist if you notice unusual changes in your mouth.

5) Avoid or stop smoking.

Smoking does not only affect your respiratory and immune systems, but it also affects your dental health. With your body already at risk due to your nicotine intake, your body will also find it harder to recover tissues, especially those in your mouth. That is why, if you undergo a dental operation, your recovery time might take longer if you have been smoking for a long time now.

On the other hand, smoking also causes adverse effects such as stained teeth and a black hairy tongue which is a growth on the tongue due to tobacco intake. And the worst part, smoking might give you foul-smelling breath and gum disease, which may result in tooth loss.

If you have not tried smoking yet, it is best to keep it that way so that you reduce the chance of making it an addiction that could ruin your entire health altogether.

6) Maintain a Healthy Diet Free of Sugar and Starches

Sweetened drinks and foods and starchy foods should be avoided or limited if you want to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Instead, you should consume food that strengthen your teeth, such as leafy vegetables and calcium-rich foods like yogurt and cheese.

Overeating sugar and starch without proper dental health practices is a sure path to cavities and poor overall oral health. You may think that you are fine because you do not overeat candy, pastries, chips, and bread, but you may have forgotten to factor in the added sugars in the processed meals you take.

You can always ask your dentist for meal ideas to ensure that your diet can help in keeping your oral health at an optimal state.

Get the Best Oral Care Tips from a Dentist at Chadstone Dental

If you want to receive a consultation and dental care advice based on your current oral health needs, you can seek quality advice from a dentist at Chadstone Dental.

At Chadstone Dental, we know that having healthy teeth and gums is crucial to our patients’ wellness. So, do not hesitate to reach us by calling us on (03) 9568-0222 or email us at info@chadstonedental.com.au, so, you can receive reliable oral health care tips and quality care and treatment.