Taking care of your mouth should be a consistent part of daily hygiene. While it is easy to take a quick swipe with the toothbrush as a basic effort, effective oral care requires more. Here are some oral health tips that can help.
Brush Your Teeth Routinely
Dentists usually recommend that people brush their teeth after every meal. At the very least, brush morning and evening to remove germs and debris. Try to brush for up to one minute each time. Gently approach your teeth from the front and behind, and don’t forget the back areas as well. You can even brush your tongue to get rid of sticky buildup.
Choose a Relevant Toothpaste
Use a pea-size amount of toothpaste that best suits your needs, such as one that contains fluoride to prevent cavities or one that helps to prevent plaque buildup. Whitening toothpaste can brighten your teeth as well. Use a toothbrush with soft, medium, or firm bristles that will get your teeth clean without being abrasive.
Don’t Forget to Floss
Use dental floss to remove bits of food or tobacco debris from between your teeth and under the gum line. Choose from various types of floss, including waxed versus unwaxed, and flavored with tastes like mint or cinnamon or unflavored. Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after flossing to remove any residual loosened debris. Flossing once or twice a day may help to reduce dental decay and plaque deterioration.
Use a Daily Oral Rinse
To help kill germs and freshen your breath, choose a mouthwash that is not too stringent. There are brands with zero alcohol that still do the work you need to reduce or eliminate gum inflammation and help to prevent dental decay. Some people like to rinse after brushing their teeth to remove any lingering germs, while others wait until bedtime for a final rinse.
Take Care of Your Lips
A preventative dental care program at home should also include lip care. Use a natural balm on your lips to keep them from getting dry and cracked. Apply lip balm after brushing or eating, so it won’t be accidentally removed by those activities. You may want to use lip balm a couple of times daily to keep the delicate lip skin moist and supple.
Conclusively, this type of oral care takes just minutes a day. Benefits include a clean mouth, fresh breath, reduced inflammation as well as less dental decay. Make oral hygiene a daily part of your self-care habits.