6 Easy Habits To Keep Your Teeth Healthy!
Did you know that your smile and oral health mainly depend on your dental care habits? Of course, we all know that healthy habits, such as brushing your teeth twice a day and having regular dental checkups are necessary to keep our teeth and gum healthy.
But to prevent problems like tooth decay or serious gum issues, you need more than 2 healthy habits listed above. The key is knowing what habits will keep your teeth healthy and which ones could put them at risk for cavities or other problems down the road.
That is why in today's blog, I'll share with you the 6 easy habits you can do to keep your teeth and gum healthy! But before we get started, here is my challenge to you: For the next 10 weeks, track your result while you try to do these 6 habits every day. You'll notice your teeth getting healthier after 10 weeks.
Habit #1: Don't Go To Bed Without Brushing Your Teeth!
Most of us know that brushing our teeth twice a day is one of the most important oral practices for removing bacteria stuck in our teeth. Still, many of us sometimes neglect to brush our teeth at night.
Please don't make this mistake. It could be that we are too tired after a long day, or we could be too busy having fun on our vacation that we don't feel like brushing our teeth.
Brushing your teeth twice daily is the best way to keep your teeth healthy because it removes food particles, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease. It's also a good idea to brush before bed because that's when you have less saliva in your mouth, which may not be enough to protect your teeth from plaque buildup overnight.
Tip: Consider using an electric toothbrush or make brushing your teeth into something you look forward to by listening to your favorite song if you have trouble squeezing in 2 minutes of brushing time during the day or night!
Your oral health begins with clean teeth, so keeping your tooth surfaces clean can help you prevent cavities and gum disease. Also, do yourself a favor and brush your teeth before going to bed, so you can enjoy a good night's sleep and be well energized in the morning.
Summary: It doesn't matter whether you use an electric or manual toothbrush. You should get into the habit of brushing your teeth twice a day, and don't ever skip brushing at night to keep your teeth and gums stay healthy.
Habit #2: Brush Your Teeth Properly, Not Aggressively.
The way you brush your teeth is very important. In fact, doing a poor job of brushing your teeth is almost as bad as not brushing at all!
Brush gently so that you don't damage the gum tissue or loosen healthy teeth. You should brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the front and back as well as the chewing surface.
Most toothbrushes are made for slow and circular motions, so if you aggressively brush your teeth. Not only do you damage your tooth and gums, but you're also damaging the toothbrush bristle, which shortens the lifetime of your toothbrush.
The proper way of brushing your teeth is to place your toothbrush against the gum line at a 45-degree angle, brush using small circular motions. Take time to brush the front, back, and top of every tooth (This process takes between 2 to 3 minutes).
Summary: Brushing your teeth too hard can damage your tooth enamel and gums. The effects of this may include tooth sensitivity, permanent damage to the protective enamel on the teeth, and gum erosion. Take at least 2 to 3 minutes every time you brush your teeth to effectively remove the bacteria that are stuck on your teeth.
Habit #3: Consider Using A Mouthwash
In addition to daily brushing and doing it correctly, most dentists recommend using a mouthwash containing fluoride to promote oral health.
Many of us skip this part because we don't know the full benefit of using a mouthwash.
Mouthwash helps:
- Reduces the amount of acid in your mouth
- Prevent and fix bad breath
- Cleans hard-to-brush areas around the gums
- And re-mineralizes the teeth.
Mouthwashes that contain fluoride or alcohol can help prevent cavities, reduce plaque and kill bacteria in the mouth which may cause bad breath. Mouthwash can also be used by people who have gum disease or swollen gums, since it can reduce inflammation and soothe soreness in your mouth.
Tip: I recommend you using your mouthwash right after lunch and not straight after brushing your teeth because it will wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth.
Summary: Mouthwash cannot be a substitute for brushing your teeth, but it can enhance the practices. If you're not already using a mouthwash, please do your teeth another favor and consider using mouthwash once a day to further improve your oral health.
Habit #4: Consider Floss Once A Day
Flossing your teeth isn't hard to do, and doing them can help prevent gum infections, cavities, and tooth loss. A toothbrush alone can't reach bacteria in the tight spaces between your teeth and under your gum line, which is why floss is important.
To floss correctly: Slide the string of dental floss between each tooth from underneath one side of it across until it touches that same side on the other end. If there's anything stuck between your teeth after doing this, such as food particles, then remove them.
I recommend you to look for tools that can help you floss your teeth. (Flossing will be more effective if you use actual dental floss instead of string or fishing line!) Ready-to-use dental flossers from your local drugstore can make a huge difference.
Tip: Make it a daily habit to floss once a day, but similar to brushing your teeth, don't be too aggressive with the floss or you could be risking harming your gums.
Summary: Flossing daily can help remove plaque and bacteria from between the teeth, where a toothbrush is unable to reach. Flossing can also help prevent bad breath by removing food that has been trapped between your teeth.
Habit #5: Replace Your Toothbrush Every Three Months
The fifth habit is to replace your toothbrush every three months, or ideally after you notice your toothbrush is being worn out. The best way to tell if it's time for a new toothbrush is by looking at the bristles. If they appear worn or frayed, then it's time to get a new one!
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends you change your toothbrush every 3 months or when the ends start to look frayed, whichever comes first.
Toothbrush Care Tips:
1. Do not share your toothbrushes with anyone: sharing a toothbrush could result in an exchange of bodily fluids and microorganisms between people.
2. Rinse the toothbrush thoroughly after each use: it's important to remove any remaining toothpaste.
3. Store your toothbrush in an upright position after use: do this to allow your toothbrush to air dry.
The bristles of your toothbrush become matted or frayed after a month of using it. The effectiveness of the brush decrease as the bristles become worn. So remember to replace your toothbrush every 3 months.
Summary: From my experience, waiting for three months to replace your toothbrush could be too late. At that point, the bristles are properly frayed, and the effectiveness of removing bateria of that toothbrush is worn out. I recommend replacing your toothbrush every two months or whenever the toothbrush bristles start to look frayed.
Habit #6: See Your Dentist Every 6 Months
You don't have to be afraid of the dentist. I know, it sounds crazy. But it's true! As long as you take care of your teeth and visit your dentist on a regular basis, dental visits can actually be quite a pleasant experience.
Your own everyday habits are crucial to your overall oral health. However, at a minimum, you should see your dentist for cleanings and checkups twice a year.
Also, talk to your dentist if you have any questions. Your dentist is there to help you with your oral care. They can also help you create a daily brushing and flossing plan that is suited to your specific needs.
Summary: Seeing your dentist twice a year is always a good idea. During a routine dental examination, the dentist will not only clean your teeth and remove plaque, but they will also be able to spot potential issues and offer you treatment solutions. This is especially true if you have any other health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Quick Takeaway
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is important not just for a beautiful smile, but also for overall health and well-being. This is 6 easy habits that can help keep your teeth healthy:
Habit #1: Don't Go To Bed Without Brushing Your Teeth! This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.
Habit #2: Brush Your Teeth Properly, Not Aggressively. Not only do you damage your tooth and gums, but you're also damaging the toothbrush bristle, which shortens the lifetime of your toothbrush.
Habit #3: Consider Using A Mouthwash. Mouthwash can help kill bacteria and freshen your breath.
Habit #4: Consider Floss Once A Day. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between your teeth, areas that your toothbrush can't reach.
Habit #5: Replace Your Toothbrush Every Three Months. The bristles of your toothbrush become matted or frayed after a month of using it. The effectiveness of the brush decrease as the bristles become worn.
Habit #6: See Your Dentist Every 6 Months. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can identify and treat any problems early on, before they become more serious.
