Need to brush up on some oral health tips? Well, then you’ve come to the right place.
Your mouth does a lot for you, so it’s necessary to keep it in tip-top shape. Because if you don’t, you could be facing gum disease, tooth decay, or oral cancer. But not to worry because this oral hygiene checklist has got you covered.
Keep reading to learn the best oral hygiene practices with this brief guide.
Brushing
Teeth brushing is essential, and you should try to do it at least twice a day.
Each brushing session should last about 2 minutes, getting all areas of the teeth (even hard-to-reach places). And when you brush, make sure you do it gently in circular motions. Brushing too harshly can cause damage to the teeth and gums.
Pro tip: don’t forget the tongue! It contains lots of bacteria that you don’t want sitting in your mouth.
Flossing
Flossing is an equally important part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Try to do it at least once a day.
To start, break off about 18 inches of dental floss (only use 2 inches to floss). Wrap the floss around your middle fingers and keep it taut. Gently place the floss in between your teeth and move it in a C-shape.
Pro tip: struggle to use regular floss? You can use floss sticks or a water pick!
Nutritious Diet
Believe it or not, your diet has a lot to do with your oral health.
You want to eat healthy foods like crunchy vegetables and fruits. But you also want to eat foods like grass-fed dairy products (that includes cheese!) and fatty fish.
You don’t want to eat sugary sweets, starchy foods, or soda. You don’t have to cut these out of your diet altogether, but try and limit your consumption of them.
Healthy Habits
To keep your mouth happy, you need to drink water and stop smoking (if you currently smoke).
Drinking water is crucial for a healthy body. But when it comes to the mouth, it keeps it hydrated, gets rid of food residue, and keeps the teeth strong (if the water contains fluoride).
Smoking can cause gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. So if you want to avoid those issues, you have to quit.
Regular Dentist Visits
You should try and visit the dentist twice a year.
During the visit, your dentist will clean your teeth and remove plaque buildup. They’ll also check that you don’t have any tooth decay, gum issues, or signs of oral disease. And if something is wrong, they can perform necessary dental treatments or suggest a specialist for you to see.
Pro tip: do you have kids? Make sure you get the facts on dental visits for children!
Now You Have An Oral Hygiene Checklist
No one’s oral hygiene is perfect, and it’s normal to slip up every once and a while. But if you keep up with most of these practices regularly, your mouth will be clean and healthy. Now, it’s time to eat some cheese and book a dentist visit!
If you found this oral hygiene checklist helpful, check out more of our health content.
