We Promise You Didn’t Know About These At-Home Dental Care Tips

Having a perfect set of teeth is one thing and maintaining their health is another. It takes constant effort and understanding of a good dental routine. Any issue in the teeth can manifest quickly, which means you cannot ignore even the smallest troubling factor in your mouth. 

What may seem like a momentary pain or itchiness can lead to an infection or gingivitis. So, besides following the best dental care tips, you must also pay attention to the telltale signs of any sort of dental problem

From brushing regularly to eating the right type of foods and visiting the dentist regularly, many things must be done to ensure good dental health. Follow these at-home dental care tips for the best results. 

At-Home Dental Care Tips

  • Brush Smoothly

Follow the right procedure to brush your teeth by moving them around the teeth in a circular motion. Don’t exert too much pressure on the teeth as it can erode the teeth enamel, ultimately exposing the dentin layer. 

You may be brushing twice or three-times a day, but it won’t be efficient if you are not following the right process. Avoid doing standard sawing back-forth motion while brushing. 

Brushing aggressively can also damage the gums and even cause permanent damage to the enamel. According to the British Dental Association, use a brush with soft bristles and change it every three months. 

  • Get a Fluoride Toothpaste

Water fluoridation has several benefits in terms of protecting our teeth. Using toothpaste that has fluoride can help against tooth decay and fight germs.

Yes, some people might have reservations about using fluoride due to its impact on their health. But if consumed in safe and appropriate amounts, fluoride is safe and does not harm our health. Taking fluoride in large amounts and without any regulation will certainly lead to health problems. 

Toothpastes have negligible amounts of fluoride, enough to provide protection and not cause any harm. 

  • Don’t Brush Immediately After Eating or Drinking

Brushing your teeth is good, but only if you can wait for 30 to 60 minutes after drinking juice, soda, or eating. Some foods have low pH and high acids, and consuming them softens the tooth enamel.

Foods and drinks like orange juice, citrus fruit, tomatoes, or wine will soften the tooth enamel. Brushing after consuming any of these foods and others in the same category won’t be good. 

So if you’re in the habit of brushing your teeth after a glass of orange juice, waiting for at least 30 minutes is recommended.

  • Build the Habit of Flossing Once a Day

Flossing helps in removing plaque and bacteria from between your teeth. It cleans the areas where the toothbrush bristles cannot reach or penetrate. Removing the stuck up food crumbs and plaque reduces the risk of developing bad breath. 

There may not be enough studies & research to prove the benefits of flossing, but the BDA recommends flossing to maintain good oral health especially if you have tight contacts between teeth.

With a small portion of the floss, move it towards the gum line between the teeth and bring it down while touching the side of the teeth. Repeat the process in up and down motions. To avoid pain, do not snap the floss while it’s between the teeth. 

  • Use a Mouthwash

Besides water fluoridation and toothpaste, a mouthwash is another way to take fluoride. Using mouthwash has three benefits;

  • It decreases the buildup of acid in the mouth. 
  • It cleans the hard to reach areas by flushing the plaque out. 
  • It remineralises the teeth to make them strong. 

A mouthwash can be a good substitute for children and older people who may not feel comfortable using a floss. However, get in touch with a children’s orthodontics specialist before buying over the counter for your kids. 

  • Don’t Take Too Much Time on Sugary Drinks

One of the best things you can do for great dental health is limit the amount of sugars.

Don’t drink soda, tea, coffee, etc., throughout the day. The motive is to restrict sipping sugars multiple times a day. As you drink tea or coffee, etc., multiple times, you are exposing your teeth to sugars. 

More sugar in the teeth means bacteria can feed on it and turn the sugar into lactic acid, which dissolves the minerals deposited on your teeth. This is one of the causes of developing cavities. 

Tooth decay can further become the root cause of several dental problems. Eventually you would end up looking for dentists in your town to get cavities to fill, root canal, dental implants or dentures depending upon the severity of the problem. 

  • Limit and/or Quit Smoking

Smoke is not good for your dental health as it weakens the immune system. A weak immune system cannot heal the tissues, including the ones present in your mouth. 

So, any sort of gum disease may get a free pass to cause further issues in your mouth because the immune system is not adept at fighting it. Besides gum diseases, smoking can also promote yellow teeth and bad breath. 

While these tips and methods are necessary for an adult to follow, they may not suit the children. Because children have sensitive teeth and gums, they need better care, support, and dental care for best results. 

Dental Tips for Children Every Parent Must Follow

  • To build the habit of cleaning their mouth, start by cleaning the child’s gums with a warm and wet soft cloth. Do this even before they start growing teeth. 
  • Between the meals, give water to the toddlers. Give them juice or milk only when they are having meals. 
  • As soon as they start growing teeth, brush the teeth with fluoride toothpaste. The amount of toothpaste you use should not be greater than the size of a rice grain. 
  • Take your child to the dentist within the first six months of the appearance of the first tooth. 
  • Do not let them take their sippy cups and bottles to bed. 

Conclusion

Great teeth are a result of daily care and healthy eating practices. You need to follow the required procedures to keep your teeth healthy, intact, and strong from infancy to adulthood. 

Besides following the tips given above, you must also regularly visit your dentist to stay on top of your dental health. Maintaining great teeth health is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and reduce the risk of developing dental diseases.