Proper oral hygiene and healthy habits can help to maintain the condition of your smile.
Your smile is one of your most important facial features, so it’s natural to want it looking and feeling healthy. The reality is that maintaining the condition of your teeth and gums does takes some time and effort. If you are wondering what you can do to improve your overall oral health, read on — we’ve put together our top tips for taking care of your smile…
1. Choose the right toothbrush
Your dentist has likely explained the importance of brushing your teeth. The habit can go a long way in keeping your teeth clean and healthy as it helps to remove food particles and plaque that can lead to issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Ideally, you should brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
When it comes to choosing a toothbrush, it is important that you go for one that feels comfortable in your mouth. Soft bristles are best because they don’t cause damage to the enamel. Brushing too hard with hard and stiff bristles can actually cause wear and tear on your teeth, as well as damage to your gums. You might consider using an electric toothbrush, as these are very effective at removing plaque. If you’re not sure, chat to your dentist about your particular needs and they will advise you on a toothbrush that suits you.
2. Don’t forget to floss
Flossing daily can help to maintain your oral health. The habit effectively gets rid of plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, which can go a long way in preventing tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
It’s advisable that you floss once a day. To do so properly, wrap a long piece of dental floss around your finger and guide it gently between your teeth. If you find this difficult, you might consider using a water flosser or an interdental brush instead.
3. Stay hydrated
For the sake of your over wellbeing, it is important that you drink plenty of water every day. In fact, water has a number of benefits when it comes to your oral health as it helps to keep the mouth clean and washes away food particles and other debris. It also prevents the mouth from drying out, which keeps bad breath at bay.
Most sources of tap water include fluoride, which is a naturally occurring mineral. Fluoride strengthens the enamel of the teeth, reducing the risk of tooth decay.
4. See your dentist often
Seeing your dentist for a routine check-up and clean is one of the best things you can do to improve the condition of your smile. At these appointments, your dentist will identify and resolve any potential issues before they become more serious and will also clean your teeth in order to remove plaque and tartar that may have accumulated over time.
If you notice any issues affecting your teeth or gums, it is advisable that you don’t delay treatment. Problems like tooth decay and gum disease don’t simply resolve themselves, so it is important that you have your dentist address them as early as possible.
How can we help?
At City Smiles, we work hard to help you maintain your oral health, but we also encourage you to adopt healthy habits at home. Our team is available to provide you with any advice that you need when it comes to practising proper oral hygiene and is happy to answer any questions that you might have about how to take proper care of your teeth and gums.
We encourage our patients to come in for a routine check-up and clean every six months. At these appointments, we will check for any underlying dental conditions and guide you through any necessary treatments.
To make an appointment at City Smiles in Melbourne, please contact us here.
