6 Great Dental Hygiene Practices

Great dental hygiene is key to maintaining great oral health. Make these 6 tips part of your everyday routine!(Portable X-ray Machine)

Keeping your mouth healthy is one of the most important things that you can do for your health.  Poor oral hygiene affects more than just your mouth – for example, gum disease is associated with an increased risk of stroke, diabetes, and heart disease! Of course you want bright white teeth and a healthy smile, too!

The good news is, it’s not hard or time consuming to care for your teeth.  Follow these simple dental hygiene tips for a healthier mouth!
1. Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day

Use a soft-bristled brush that’s gentle on delicate gums to brush your teeth twice a day, for at least 2 minutes each time.  Your toothbrush bristles can wear out though, so replace that brush every 3 or 4 months.

If you really want to be a perfect caregiver to your teeth, brush after every meal too!  And always, no matter what, brush before you go to sleep at night.
2. Use a Toothpaste with Fluoride

The use of fluoride-containing toothpaste reduces the incidence of tooth decay.  Better yet, it can help to reverse tooth decay that’s already started!  Just make sure you don’t swallow any though – rinse well after use.   Once your child is aged 3 years of age or more, and is capable of ensuring that they don’t swallow any toothpaste, you can use a fluoridated one for them too!
3. Brush Your Tongue

Brushing your tongue gets rid of bacteria and helps to maintain fresh breath.  Do this each time you brush your teeth – it only takes a few extra seconds of your time.  And the next time you find yourself talking to someone in a crowded elevator, you’ll be glad you have fresh breath!
4. Flossing Your Teeth is an Essential Dental Hygiene Practice

If all you do is brush your teeth, you’ll miss out on over 1/3 of the surface of your teeth.  So add flossing to your routine, at minimum, once a day.  Pass the time by doing it while listening to music or watching TV.  Floss your teeth before you brush – this is more effective at preventing tooth decay than doing it the other way around.
5. Visit Your Family Dentist Regularly for a Professional Tooth Cleaning

Most people should visit the dentist twice per year for a professional tooth cleaning and polishing.  This helps to catch problems early, when they’re still small and easily dealt with.  In some circumstances it might be advisable to visit more often – your dentist will advise you if this is the case.

Your dental team has tools that do a great job of removing plaque build-up, and can often clean those hard-to reach areas that your best efforts missed.
6. Minimize Sugary Snacks and Beverages

Sugar provides food for bacteria in your mouth that produce an acid that wears away at your teeth, eventually leading to cavities.  Proper brushing and flossing techniques go a long way towards preventing this, but you can give those efforts a boost by avoiding sugary snacks and drinks.  Look out for fruit juice too!  It sounds healthy, but in fact, can contain just as much sugar as some soda pops since many juice manufacturers include a lot of added sugar.
Incorporating These Dental Hygiene Practices Into Your Routine is Easy

New habits often feel like a lot of work at first, but the longer you keep at it, the easier it becomes to stick with it.  And the benefits of using good dental hygiene practices for your dental health are worth it.  You’ll have fewer cavities, fewer complicated dental procedures, and save money too (since the cost of dental care adds up!)(Teeth Whitening Machine for Sale)