Top 11 Tips For Dental and Oral Hygiene Upkeep

A good daily oral hygiene routine is a must in today’s world where we eat too many fast foods, junk foods, and outside eatables. Following proper oral and dental hygiene is not only beneficial to the teeth and mouth. It helps improve physical and mental wellbeing as well.

Here are the best practices that you should follow for proper oral and dental hygiene. These practices will help you keep those pearly whites clean, bright, and shiny. 

1. Change the toothbrush at regular intervals

• It is crucial to change your toothbrush at certain regular intervals. 
• The best dentist in San Diego will advise you to change your toothbrush every 3-4 months.

2. Brush your teeth before going to bed

• The common recommendation from any dentist in San Diego is to brush the teeth at least twice a day. 
• However, many individuals tend to overlook brushing their teeth at night. 
• Brushing the teeth prior to going to bed helps eliminate microbes and plaque that accumulate across the entire day.

3. Clean your tongue

• Build-up of plaque on the tongue is common. This may deteriorate oral and dental health.
• Ignoring tongue cleaning can also result in bad breath.
• It is a best practice to use a tongue scraper or a toothbrush with a scraper to clean the tongue every time you brush.

4. Focus on eating healthy foods

• Our oral health is determined by what we eat.
• Munching something repeatedly may appear to be harmless, however it can cause a lot of damage to the teeth.
• This risk is even higher if you are having foods and drinks containing sugar.
• Many individuals tend to regularly skip the most important meals (breakfast and lunch) and eat snacks or fast foods instead.
• Instead of having snacks several times in a day, it is best to stick to three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). This is not only good for dental health but also overall wellbeing.
• Individuals must maintain a healthy and balanced diet from the point of view of oral health.
• Any dentist in San Diego advises patients to limit the amount of sugar intake, since it not only causes dental issues but also health problems.

5. Floss at least once a day

• The  best dentist in San Diego recommends flossing at least once a day.
• Ensure that you take two minutes a day to add flossing to your routine.
• Flossing can help get rid of plaque and microbes from between the teeth, especially in areas where a toothbrush fails to reach.
• It also eliminates debris and food particles which get lodged in between the teeth.
• Flossing helps eliminate bad breath as well.
• When you initially begin flossing, the sensitive gums may slightly pain.
• This is natural and will stop once you are regular with flossing for a couple of days.
• When flossing, ensure that you cover the entire tooth.

6. Keep yourself hydrated during the day

• In today’s fast-paced world and busy lifestyle, most people tend to overlook the importance of hydration.
• Sufficient hydration is not only beneficial for complete wellbeing but also helps maintain a proper saliva flow.
• Saliva moves the food particles through the mouth and helps in maintaining dental health.
• It prevents most food particles from sticking in the teeth where bacteria can grow.
• It also keeps the mouth moist and prevents dryness.

7. Following proper brushing techniques

• Brushing does not mean that you can brush your teeth in a hurry anyhow. 
• While brushing, you need to follow certain techniques that will help you to keep the teeth healthy and facilitate oral hygiene.
• You need to use a toothbrush of appropriate size such that the entire dental surface can be covered.
• Also, the best dentist in San Diego recommends placing the brush at an angle of 45^o to the gums while brushing.
• The strokes of the brush should be gentle, moving back and forth.
• When bruising, it is important to cover all the sides of the teeth.

8. Using a fluoride mouthwash

• You can improve your oral health by making use of a fluoride mouthwash.
• It helps clear the food debris present in the mouth.
• It can also help prevent accumulation of plaque on the gums, in-between the teeth, and on the teeth surface.
• Mouthwash can help to refresh the breath by eliminating the microbes associated with bad breath.
• A fluoride mouthwash can be used daily complementing brushing, but not as a substitute.
• Brushing only cleans the teeth. However, using a mouthwash cleans the entire mouth and fights germs.
• For complete cleanliness, protection, and oral hygiene, use of a mouthwash is vital.

9. Avoid sugary drinks

• Soda, cold drinks and fruit juices are packed with added sugar that can be harmful for your teeth. The sugars present in liquids like soda and fruit juices can serve as breeding grounds for bacteria on the teeth. This can result in tooth decay.
• Also, being highly acidic, they can wear down the teeth enamel.
• Drinking fruits juices and soda on a regular basis can result in cavities, tooth decay, sensitivity, and discoloration of the teeth.

10. Say No to smoking and tobacco

• Becoming a smoker or tobacco consumer not only harms the respiratory system but also the teeth and mouth.
• A professional dentist in San Diego never fails to brief individuals about the dangers of tobacco.
• Using tobacco or products that have tobacco elevates the likelihood of gum disease and oral cancer.
• Tobacco consumption can also stain your teeth yellow or brownish in color.
• Avoiding tobacco is good for oral and dental hygiene as well as overall well-being.

11. Visit the dentist regularly

• Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and rinse your mouth, it is crucial to visit the best dentist in San Diego regularly for routine examination and checkup of the teeth.
• The best practice is to visit a dentist in San Diego at least once in six months.
• Most people think that they should see a dentist only when they have pain or discomfort in the teeth.
• However, regular screening and examination helps detect dental problems or cavities at an early stage to treat them.
• Along with the scheduled visits, there may be a need for anstarguestblogging@gmail.com if you experience persistent bad breath, swollen or bleeding gums, sensitivity to hot and cold foodstuffs, etc.

Practicing good oral hygiene on a daily basis includes visiting the top dentist in San Diego on a regular basis, brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and using mouthwash helps get rid of bacteria that cause tooth decay, dental infections, and bleeding and swollen gums. Improved oral hygiene also keeps the entire body healthy. This is even more important in case of health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Healthy teeth and mouth enhances self-esteem by getting rid of bad breath and plaque formation. Daily oral care routine improves physical, social, and emotional well-being.

When was the last time you went to a dentist in San Diego for a regular dental checkup? If you are having some dental issues, it is advisable to consult an emergency dentist San Diego. Searching for the best dentist in San Diego? Get in touch with Brite Smile Dental to schedule a consultation today or for emergency dentistry.