October is Oral Hygiene Month: What are 4 elements for a healthy smile?

October is Oral Hygiene Month: What are 4 elements for a healthy smile?

Oral hygiene is extremely important. Many people mistakenly focus purely on the appearance of their teeth, without realizing that if they aren’t healthy, how they look is irrelevant. Decay, gum disease, and other issues that arise because of poor oral hygiene can lead to pain, the need for restorations and in some cases, even tooth loss. While it’s possible to replace missing teeth with artificial alternatives, it is far better to preserve your natural teeth for as long as you feasibly can. Good oral hygiene can also play a part in maintaining your overall health and wellness. This is because moderate to severe gum disease has been shown to be a common problem among patients with conditions like heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and more. 

With October being Oral Hygiene Month, there has never been a better time to learn more about what you can do to prolong the health, condition, and appearance of your smile for as long as possible. And as we now know, your overall health can benefit too. Here’s what you need to know about the 4 key elements of a healthy smile.
 

1.    Regular brushing

Brushing your teeth is the most important element of a robust oral hygiene routine. This is because brushing removes plaque and food particles before they can lead to decay and gum disease. Since plaque forms continuously, dentists recommend that you brush at least twice each day – once after breakfast and again before bed. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles as this will ensure that your tooth enamel and gums aren’t damaged. Electric toothbrushes take much of the work out of brushing, and some studies show that they provide a better clean than a manual toothbrush. Use a fluoride toothpaste as this will help to strengthen your teeth, and brush for at least two minutes each time.
 

2.    Flossing

Many people view flossing as an optional extra when it comes to their oral hygiene routine, but studies have shown that flossing should be considered just as essential as brushing. Flossing enables bacteria, food debris and plaque to be removed from the hard to reach areas between the teeth – often where a toothbrush can’t get to. This helps to prevent decay and gum disease from forming in these areas and putting your oral health at risk. Traditional floss is still very popular, but today, people can also choose alternatives such as interdental brushes and water flossers. Water flossers use high-powered jets of water to force debris and plaque from between the teeth.
 

3.    Use mouthwash

Mouthwash is another integral part of achieving a healthy smile. Again, many people consider it an optional part of their oral hygiene routine, but, it can significantly improve its effectiveness. Mouthwash can help to prevent gum disease by destroying the bacteria that would otherwise cause it, prevent the accumulation of plaque on the teeth, strengthen your tooth enamel to make it more difficult for decay to penetrate it, and it gives you fresher breath too! What’s not to love? It’s important to remember that rinsing with mouthwash should be carried out in addition to brushing and flossing, not instead of it.
 

4.    Chew sugar-free gum between meals

Many people are surprised to find their dentist advocating gum but chewing sugar-free gum between meals is proven to be beneficial for our oral health. This is because chewing stimulates the production of saliva, which helps to neutralize plaque acids and wash away food particles and bacteria before they can cause decay and gum disease. Chewing sugar-free gum between meals and after snacks is one of the best ways of maintaining your oral health until you can brush your teeth again.

For more advice on how to preserve your oral health, please call us at Elite Dentistry & Implant Center at (205) 224-0040 to speak to our experienced dental team in Chelsea, AL.