Best Oral Hygiene Practices For Good Oral Health

Do you know good oral hygiene helps maintain good oral health and overall health? Practicing good oral hygiene will keep your teeth free of any diseases. Besides, when you take good care of your teeth, they look and feel great. This means you won't need expensive restorative dental procedures or a cosmetic dentist to fix your smile.

Besides, oral health can affect your overall health as well. Oral diseases like cavities and gum disease can affect other parts of the body, like the heart. So, good oral hygiene is essential for the health of your mouth and body. You need to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, every day. However, this is only half of the battle. You also need to take care of the following things to ensure your oral health.

• Brushing

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time can help prevent tooth decay. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth. Hard-bristled toothbrushes are abrasive, and they can cause gum recession. 

• Flossing

Flossing is a great way to remove plaque from between teeth from the areas where your toothbrush can't reach. Plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing hardens into tartar, which cannot be removed without a professional dental cleaning. 

• Rinsing With A Mouthwash

Rinsing your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash is always an important element of oral hygiene. It kills bacteria, removes plaque, and helps keep your mouth clean.

• Regular Dental Visits

The best way to protect your smile from tooth decay and related oral health issues are to visit the dentist every 6 months. At these visits, your dentist will clean your teeth and examine your mouth for any signs of developing dental problems. If cavities or other problems are detected, your dentist can begin treating them immediately.

• Diet

There are certain foods you can eat that can positively impact your oral health. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and dairy products. Eating these types of foods helps to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Lean protein, like chicken, eggs, and lean red meat, can help to reduce inflammation, which can help prevent gum disease.

• Smoking And Tobacco Use

Smoking and tobacco use are major risk factors for gum disease. Tobacco users have a heightened risk for all types of gum disease, including gingivitis. Some tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco, also contain nicotine. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict and can cause gum tissues to lose their grip on teeth. This makes smokers prone to developing gum disease. Smokers are also at a higher risk of oral cancer. All tobacco products contain toxins that irritate gum tissues, making them more likely to develop infections. Tobacco use also increases the risk of tooth decay. Tobacco use can increase the risk of tooth grinding, which can lead to tooth damage and tooth loss. So, one of the best things you can do for your oral health is to quit smoking and tobacco use. 

For personalized dental care for patients, schedule an appointment at Natural Smiles Dental Center by calling (703) 595-4405 or visiting us at 1800 Michael Faraday Dr. STE 205, Reston, VA 20190.