10 Tips for Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums

Maintaining good oral health is vital for a healthy smile, but it’s also crucial for your overall health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is a link between poor oral health and chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Poor oral health can also lead to problems with eating and drinking, which can cause malnutrition or dehydration. Here are ten tips for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

1. Brush Your Teeth At Least Twice A Day

Brushing your teeth is one of the most important activities to maintain good oral health. Brushing removes plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. Plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Be sure to brush for at least two minutes, using a toothbrush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste. There are plenty of online resources offering dental health tips, and your dentist can help you learn the proper brushing technique.

2. Floss Your Teeth Every Day

Flossing is just as important as brushing because it removes plaque and bacteria from areas your toothbrush cannot reach. Use a gentle back-and-forth motion when you floss, and avoid jerking the floss through your teeth. Using dental floss, make sure to floss your teeth at least once a day. You can also use an interdental brush to reach difficult areas to floss.

3. Eat a Healthy Diet

What you eat affects your oral health just as much as your brushing and flossing habits. Eating a healthy diet is essential for your overall health, but it is also crucial for maintaining good oral health. A healthy diet contains plenty of whole fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains and limits sugary drinks and snacks. Eating a healthy diet helps keep your teeth and gums healthy and prevents tooth decay and gum disease. There are even some foods that can help whiten your teeth.

4. Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Regular dental visits are essential for maintaining good oral health. During a dental hygiene appointment, your hygienist will clean your teeth, and your dentist will look for any problems. Your dentist can detect problems early and provide treatment to prevent more serious issues from developing. They can also give you tips on how to keep your teeth healthy. Be sure to see your dentist at least once every six months, or more often if you have a history of tooth decay or gum disease. If you have a problem with your teeth or gums, see your dentist right away.

5. Use Mouthwash

Mouthwash can help remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth. Mouthwash can help to remove plaque and bacteria that are missed by brushing. It is important to use mouthwash that contains fluoride to help prevent tooth decay. Follow the directions on the bottle and swish the mouthwash around your mouth for at least 30 seconds. Spit the mouthwash out after swishing. Do not drink water immediately after using mouthwash, as this can dilute its effectiveness. Be sure to use an antibacterial mouthwash approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).

6. Protect Your Teeth

If you play sports or participate in other activities that put you at risk for head injuries, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth. Mouthguards can help prevent broken teeth and other dental injuries. Wearing a mouthguard is especially important for children and adolescents who are active in sports. If you grind your teeth at night, your dentist may also recommend wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth from damage.

7. Keep Your Teeth Clean

In addition to brushing and flossing, it’s important to keep your teeth clean by using a toothpick or dental floss after meals. It will help remove food particles and plaque from your teeth. Be sure to brush your tongue, which can harbor bacteria that cause bad breath. Chewing sugarless gum can also help remove plaque from your teeth and increase saliva production. Saliva is important because it helps to neutralize the acids in your mouth that can cause tooth decay.

8. Avoid Sugary Drinks

Sugary drinks and snacks are one of the leading causes of tooth decay. Sugary beverages, such as soda and sports drinks, can increase the risk of tooth decay. When you consume sugar, it interacts with the bacteria in your mouth to form acid. This acid then attacks your teeth, causing damage that can lead to cavities. To help maintain healthy teeth, limit your consumption of sugary drinks and snacks. Choose water or unsweetened beverages instead and eat sugary foods only occasionally. If you drink sugary drinks, be sure to brush your teeth afterward.

9. Avoid Tobacco Products

Tobacco use is a significant risk factor for oral health problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, and cancer. If you use tobacco products, quitting is the best way to protect your oral health. If you can’t stop, try to cut back on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and avoid smoking immediately after meals. Quitting smoking will improve your oral health, but it will also improve your overall health. Chewing tobacco is also harmful to your oral health. If you chew tobacco, quitting is the best way to protect your teeth and gums.

10. Manage Stress Levels to Avoid Grinding Your Teeth (Bruxism)

Stress can harm your oral health. It can lead to bruxism, which is grinding or clenching your teeth. Bruxism can damage your teeth and gums and cause headaches and jaw pain. Stress can also make it difficult to brush and floss regularly.

If you are under stress, try to find ways to manage it. Exercise, relaxation techniques, and counseling can reduce stress levels. Talk to your dentist or doctor about what works best for you. If you grind your teeth at night, your dentist may recommend wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth.
Maintaining good oral health requires effort and commitment, but it is worth it. By following these tips, you can help ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy for years to come. If you live in Southeast Michigan and have any questions about how you can improve your smile, contact your nearest Fortson Dentistry location to set up an appointment.