Beyond the Brush: A Guide to Improving Your Overall Oral Health

Updated on September 12, 2019

You don’t need to be told that you must brush your teeth twice a day – this is common sense. However, it is surprising just how many people don’t care for their oral health beyond this general advice. As you can imagine, this can lead to quite a few tooth and gum problems. 

For instance, it is estimated that almost half of the global population is currently dealing with tooth decay. To add to this, periodontal disease has been identified in 15 – 20 percent of middle-aged adults. Furthermore, around 30 percent of the aging population doesn’t have any natural teeth. 

Now, one of the reasons that these statistics are so disheartening is because more tooth and gum problems are preventable. At the very least, if they are caught in the early stages, they can be cured or curbed. If you want to make sure that you steer clear of all these problems, here are the top guidelines to keep in mind: 

Floss Once a Day 

Most people find flossing rather unpleasant. This is why they tend to skip this particular part of their oral hygiene routine. Unfortunately, this may be doing more damage than anyone can know. Although many aren’t aware of it, flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. 

Believe it or not, brushing your teeth doesn’t get rid of all the plaque or food particles. This is because brushes are only able to reach two to three sides of your teeth at any given time. However, quite a bit of food can get stuck in between your teeth and just below the gum line. 

This is where dental floss comes in. Due to the thin surface area of the floss, it is able to easily slip into these spaces. As a result, it can dislodge food and bacteria, further cutting down on the risk of plaque or any other kind of disease. 

It is due to this that you should floss your teeth at least once a day before you brush your teeth. For the best results, do it at night so that you can remove all residual food particles. 

Visit Your Dentist 

A surprising number of people put off their dental visits as long as possible. What they don’t realize, though, is that your dentist is your best form of defense against most common and uncommon tooth and gum diseases. Thus, if you think you require dental implants turkey, don’t neglect to go for a check-up.

Understand, one of your oral health practitioner’s main responsibilities is to practice preventative dentistry. That is, he or she looks for signs of blossoming tooth and gum conditions and takes the necessary action. This can stop most dental conditions in their tracks. 

This, however, is only possible if you actually make an effort to visit your dentist once or twice a year, at least. Depending on overall oral health, your oral health practitioner will inform you just how many visits you need to make to stay healthy. 

Drink More Water 

There are many reasons why you should be drinking more water. What many people don’t know, though, is that improving your oral health is one of them. For one thing, water helps to wash away any sugary or acidic substances left behind by your food. As a result, it can help to reduce the risk of tooth decay. 

On top of this, water also helps to keep your mouth moist and to encourage optimal saliva production. Saliva contains mineral and components that help to fight off bacteria and to keep your teeth strong. So, by drinking appropriate amounts of water, you will be helping this substance do its job. 

Reduce the Impact of Sugary and Acidic Foods 

As you are well aware, you should reduce your consumption of sugary and acidic food. Sugar works to feed the bacteria in your mouth and helps it to multiply. Acidic ingredients, on the other hand, can attack the teeth directly. Unfortunately, most people have trouble cutting down on these foods. 

So, the least you can do is to limit their impact. When it comes to sugary foods, stay away from anything that is hard and sticky. These have a greater chance of sticking to your teeth and making the problem even worse. And if you are drinking sugary drinks, ditch the straws. Straws cause a concentrated amount of sugary liquid to hit certain parts of your teeth. So, it could actually be exacerbating the issue. 

You should also get into the habit of rinsing out your mouth with water after eating these foods. For one thing, it can help to dilute acids and prevent them from doing as much damage. For another, it can wash out unwanted particles and keep your mouth clean. 

Eat the Right Fruits and Vegetables 

You know that it is important to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. These work to provide proper nutrition to your gums and tissues, keeping them healthy. However, there are certain fruits and vegetables that provide other benefits as well. 

Try to include more crunchy vegetables and fruits in your diet. These include apples, celery, and carrots. When you chew on these foods, they stimulate your gums, increasing blood flow to these areas. As a result, this can greatly reduce the risk of gum disease and other issues. 

Treat Digestive Issues Immediately 

Do you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux? If so, you are unintentionally exposing the enamel on your teeth to quite a bit of acid. With enough time, this can wear down your teeth and cause sensitivity. Thus, this is something that you should have looked at immediately. 

Most of these digestive issues can be treated or minimized rather easily. At the very least, you will be provided with a list of instructions on how to improve your lifestyle to reduce the impact of the condition. So, make sure to take any treatment that your doctor offers you. This could help to keep your pearly whites in excellent condition. 

These are the top guidelines that you should pay attention to when it comes to maintaining your oral health. If you follow these carefully you will be able to notice that you are at much less risk for most common dental issues. 

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