How to Keep a Good Smile

A good smile always gives a good first impression. It is even much better if it is complimented by a good smelling breath. The two can only be brought about by good oral care. However, the importance of good dental health does not stop there.

Recent research shows that there is a strong link between good dental health and the overall health of your body. Leading doctors stipulate that if left untreated gum disease and tooth decay can directly lead to other diseases like stroke and heart disease.

This is because the bacteria that cause the gum disease can be able to travel through your blood to other parts of your body.

To avoid all that it is important to maintain good oral care. This is the only way to ensure good dental health. Furthermore it is very simple and you only need to follow the following simple steps.

Before we begin, we just want to remind you that if you’re looking for local dental offices open on Saturday & Sunday, look no further than Emergency Dentists USA, we can help!

l Regular brushing. Regular brushing is basically the single most important oral care you can give your mouth. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and a maximum of three times to avoid damaging your gums. Brushing alone is not enough. You should ensure your brush every single tooth from all directions and also the tongue. It is also important that you use a toothbrush with soft bristles. If the tooth brush has rough bristles it will do more harm than good to your mouth.

l Use fluoride based toothpaste. Fluoride is important to your teeth as it helps to strengthen them and also prevent decay. Most toothpaste has fluoride but you can also use a fluoride rinse or gel on your tooth. However, this is subject to approval by a dentist if he is of the opinion you need extra fluoride.

l Floss your teeth daily. Flossing is generally very easy since all you need is a floss string which is basically a cord of thin filaments. Flossing helps to remove food particles from areas where the toothbrush cannot reach like between your teeth. You should floss your teeth at least once a day. It is also very convenient since you can do it even as you watch the TV.

l Limit sugary snacks. Tooth cavities are caused by bacteria that live on the mouth. This bacterium damages the enamel of the teeth hence causing cavities. Sugar is what it feeds on and so every time we consume sugary snacks some sugar is left on the teeth for bacteria to feed on. It is important to avoid these snacks or to brush after eating them.
l Eat healthy food. Eating healthy is not only important to our bodies but is also essential for good dental health. Healthy nutrients like Vitamin A and C help to prevent gum disease.

l Inspect your mouth regularly. If a painless lump was to develop on your gum you may not easily notice it if you don’t inspect your mouth regularly. This might be signs of something bigger that requires urgent treatment. Examining your mouth should not consume any of your time as you can do it during your regular brushing session. If you notice anything strange it is advisable to consult your dentist immediately.

l Regular dental Checkup. You might be doing everything required to maintain good dental health but this does not make you immune to dental problems. Due to this it is important to visit your dentist regularly or at least once a year. Early detection of problem makes it easy to control or cure e.g. oral cancer. Oral cancer can be properly managed if detected early.

l Avoid smoking. Smoking is dangerous to your general health. To your oral health it is equally as bad. The tar and nicotine in cigarettes stains your teeth in a very short time giving them a yellow look. Smoking also increases significantly your risk of getting oral cancer. With smoking, the only option is simply to quit because even reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke will not make any significant difference.

Good dental health may look like something very basic but it should be treated with all the importance it deserves. The negative effects of poor oral care cannot be underestimated.