Insufficient care leads to gum disease, oral infections, and more severe health problems, including stroke, heart disease, dementia, kidney disease, diabetes, infertility, and cancer. More than 60% of Americans missed their last dentist visit, according to the ADA.
The main reasons were fear and the high cost of dental care. But oral health doesn’t have to be expensive or intimidating. In this article, we will provide you with some tips to take care of your teeth.
How To Maintain Good Oral Health?
Here are some simple and natural ways to care for your teeth.
1. Keep Track Of Your Diet
Eating a balanced diet, i.e., eating fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products, provides you with all the nutrients your teeth need. Remember that acidic foods increase the risk of tooth decay as they damage tooth enamel and allow bacteria to enter the teeth. But do not completely abandon acidic foods; some foods are incredibly beneficial for the body.
The main thing is to control portions. You can also minimize tooth damage from acidic foods by rinsing your mouth with water after each meal. Drinking with a straw is another effective way to keep your teeth safe. Limiting sugar intake is also important. It makes germs thrive in the mouth.
It is important to eat fruits and vegetables. Chewing apples, celery, carrots, and peppers helps keep your teeth strong and healthy by inducing saliva production, stimulating your gums, and providing you with nutrients to strengthen your enamel.
2. Quit Alcohol Consumption
Excessive consumption, which is quite prevalent in Pennsylvania, like most states of the US, is the second major reason for oral cancer. Along with it, a heavy drinker also suffers from mouth sores, gum diseases, and tooth decay. If a person does not quit alcohol, tooth loss is more likely to occur.
Thus, if you also have an alcohol addiction, you must take all necessary measures to get rid of it. The most effective way is to get professional help.
Besides, you can also choose the type of treatment you want to get. If you prefer being monitored 24/7 by professionals, then know that Pennsylvania inpatient rehabs can help. So don’t delay and contact a nearby center today to stay sober and get stronger teeth tomorrow.
3. Brush Your Teeth Properly
Every dentist will tell you that a brushing regimen is very important to your overall oral health. If you do it correctly, cleaning will take you about 2 minutes. Try setting a timer to check this. Here are some basic tips:
- Begin brushing from the back of your mouth. If you follow the same path all the time, it will become a habit.
- To remove food debris and plaque that builds up around the gum line, brush your teeth in a circular motion.
- Remember to clean the back of your teeth well! Food and germs can accumulate there just as easily as in the front.
- Bacteria also build up on your tongue and the inside of your cheeks. Be sure to cleanse these areas to ensure you have fresh breath.
4. Use Dental Floss
There is constant controversy over dental floss. For years, it was said everywhere that dental floss is the most important thing to use to protect your teeth and gums. However, many people miss this ritual or do it incorrectly.
Use unwaxed natural floss to work between your teeth and the gum line, where plaque, food particles, and bacteria are collected. Be aware that petroleum products are used to make waxed yarn. Here’s how to use dental floss properly:
- Cut the floss so that you can wrap it around your finger, leaving you with enough length to hold it and move it between your teeth.
- Bend the floss at the base of each tooth in a C shape and work over the gum line. Use the clean portion of the floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
5. Drink More Water
The average adult drinks about 1.2 liters of water a day, while children drink about 450 ml. The need for hydration varies from person to person, but most experts agree that eight glasses of water a day is a necessary norm.
In addition to keeping your body hydrated, water helps flush out food and bacteria left in your mouth. The body uses water to produce saliva. Saliva neutralizes acidity in the mouth, protecting tooth enamel from weakening and erosion.
You can also make your own mouthwash. To do this, in a glass jar, mix 1/2 cup of filtered water, two teaspoons of baking soda, two drops of tea tree oil, and three drops of peppermint essential oil.
6. Take Supplements
Minerals are very important for the health of teeth and gums. Diet alone may be sufficient, as many foods lack nutrients due to the fact that they are grown in a depleted nutrient medium. Supplements help fill in the gaps. Especially useful supplements are:
- Vitamins A, C, D, K
- Magnesium
- Gelatin
- Cod liver oil
- Herbal supplements
7. Gargle With Oil
Oil mouthwash is an ancient Ayurvedic technique that helps maintain oral health. Sesame and coconut oils have antibacterial properties to keep your teeth and gums in perfect shape. You will also notice that this procedure will naturally whiten your teeth. For best results, do this immediately after waking up.
How to rinse your mouth with oil:
- Put one tablespoon of oil in your mouth.
- Swirl the oil gently in your mouth for 10-20 minutes.
- Spit in the trash. Avoid swallowing the oil.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Brush your teeth as usual.
- Repeat daily on an empty stomach.
8. Use A Tongue Scraper
Using a scraper reduces the growth of bacteria on the tongue, which can lead to bad breath. It also reduces the likelihood of tooth decay and loss, gum disease, and other oral problems. Here is how to use the scraper correctly:
- Perform the procedure in the morning.
- While looking in the mirror, place the scraper on the back of your tongue. Pull it towards the front edge of your tongue and remove any plaque that has collected.
- Repeat this movement twice.
- Be careful not to damage your taste buds.
Take Away
Like physical health, maintaining good oral health is just as necessary. Thus, we mentioned some effective tips that can help you maintain good oral health at any age. We are hopeful that these tips will surely help you have good teeth!
