6 Daily Habits for Healthy Teeth and Gums

You don't have to spend a great deal of money to have a beautiful smile. Our dentist shares some simple habits you can practice that will lead to a healthy smile.

A healthy smile is more than just a nice-looking set of teeth; it also serves as a reflection of our overall health and well-being.

Poor oral health can lead to a range of issues, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and other serious health problems. However, achieving a healthy smile is within reach for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

Read on to learn about the six simple habits that can be incorporated into your daily routine to keep your smile healthy and looking its best.

1. Visit the dentist regularly

It is recommended to visit the dentist at least once every six months. However, if the mere notion of a dental appointment causes you to panic, there are simple steps you can take to overcome your fear of the dentist.
 
Your dentist is your best source of advice and information regarding the state of your oral health. Moreover, regular dental check-ups can help to detect and treat any dental issues before they become serious. Therefore, it is important to visit them regularly.
 
Additionally, your dentist can offer you guidance on your oral hygiene, diet, and any other aspects of oral health. If necessary, they can also advise on treatments to beautify your smile, such as teeth whitening treatments or Invisalign clear aligners.

2. Brushing and flossing
 
Brushing is one of the most important habits for maintaining good oral hygiene. Not only does it remove plaque and food particles from the teeth and gums, but it also helps prevent cavities and helps to keep your breath fresh. It also helps prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other types of dental health problems.
 
However, brushing alone is not enough to fully eliminate plaque and is best used in combination with flossing. Flossing is essential for removing particles that cannot be reached by brushing and is recommended by dentists worldwide.
 
Both are simple, cost-effective methods for maintaining a healthy smile and should be performed twice daily: once in the morning and once before bedtime.  

• Proper brushing technique

 
When selecting a toothbrush, look for one that is soft, medium-sized, and has a small brush head. Angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums to brush your teeth. Proceed to gently move the brush back and forth in short strokes. Brush the teeth’s outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. Make several up-and-down strokes with the brush while angling it vertically to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth.  

• Proper flossing technique

 
When flossing, use a piece that is around 10-12 inches long, and wrap it around the two fingers on one hand. Gently move the floss up and down between each set of teeth, placing it between the teeth and below the gum line.
 
3. Regularly replacing your toothbrush
 
Most dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush or brush head every three months to prevent bacteria from building up in the bristles.
 
Moreover, during the toothbrush manufacturing process, the nylon bristles are initially trimmed to the same height—resulting in sharp, jagged edges. Each bristle is then shaped into a soft dome to make them less abrasive and to prevent them from scraping away enamel or gum tissue. The bristles revert to their former jaggedness after frequent usage, which can promote gum recession and erode enamel. Therefore, toothbrushes with extreme wear are much less effective.
 
If you find it tricky to keep track of the three months rule of thumb, examine the state of the bristles. Splayed bristles are a sign of extensive brush wear and require replacement.[¹] Keep in mind that each person may have a different idea of what a worn-out brush is. Thus, this method may not always be accurate. Regardless, it may be a good starting point.
 
4. Avoid sugary foods and beverages
 
The foods and beverages we consume influence the overall health of our teeth. A good starting point for practising oral hygiene is to avoid sugary foods and drinks, such as sweets, cakes, and fizzy drinks. This is because they are detrimental to gum health and can lead to the onset of gum disease as well as tooth decay.
 
Gum disease is caused by bacteria that collect in the mouth, particularly between the teeth and the gum line. Therefore, while brushing your teeth twice a day is always recommended, it is especially crucial if you’ve consumed anything with sugar during the day. This is because most toothpaste in the market contains fluoride, an essential ingredient in eliminating plaque and preventing dental caries.[²]

5. Use a fluoride mouthwash
** **
In addition to brushing and flossing, using a fluoride mouthwash daily can help improve the health of your gums. Fluorides are primarily used to minimise caries prevalence and to improve enamel remineralisation. Its antibacterial and anti-tooth decay effects have been well established, and their widespread use has been credited to the drop in dental cavities in Western countries.[³]
 
A fluoride mouthwash can be used with regular brushing and flossing to help improve the health of the gums and teeth. It also helps prevent plaque build-up.
 
A good quality fluoride mouthwash should be used twice a day—once in the morning and once before bedtime. Be sure to swish the mouthwash around the mouth for around one minute, as this helps to ensure that the mouthwash can reach the back of your tongue and fight the bacteria there.
 
6. Quit smoking
 
Smoking is detrimental to the health of your body and can also damage the health of your teeth and gums. It increases the risk of diseases such as periodontitis and can also cause the discolouration of teeth and an increased risk of oral cancer.
 
Smokers are also more prone to developing gum disease and other oral health problems. This is because smoking may reduce the flow of saliva, which is necessary for washing away bacteria and keeping the mouth healthy. This causes the mouth to become dry, which can lead to bad breath and the onset of other dental problems.[⁴]
 
To ensure good oral hygiene, it is essential to avoid smoking and maintain a proper dental care routine that includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily and having regular dental check-ups with your dentist.

Conclusion
 
Not only can maintaining good oral hygiene improve your smile, but it can also boost your confidence. Taking care of your teeth also plays a vital role in your overall health, so be sure to commit yourself to implement these habits into your daily routine for a healthier, more confident you!
 
As a provider of general and specialised dental treatments in Singapore, your dental health is our priority. At Advanced Dental, our team of experienced professionals will ensure that you receive the highest quality of dental treatment, whether you are looking for a routine exam or a wisdom tooth removal using MediSave.
 
Contact us today at 62332199, and we will gladly answer any questions you may have.

¹ https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fidh.12370
² https://doi.org/10.1159/000489571
³ https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fmolecules26072001
⁴ https://doi.org/10.4103%2F0976-9668.127291
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