Your oral health is something that you’re never going to want to neglect. Those pearly whites do more than show off your lovely smile! They’re used for chopping up food too. While eating, smiling, and talking are three important things that everyone can do with their mouths, you need to keep in mind how crucial oral health is. If you catch an infection in your mouth, you can count on that potentially spreading throughout your body. In general, it’s co important to take care of your mouth, and this includes your teeth. So, with that said, here are some handy tips that you’re going to need to help invest in that smile.  

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Oral hygiene is a lifelong commitment

Visiting an orthodontists and a dentist is essentially a long commitment. You have to see these health care professionals as they are going to be the ones to help out in preventing anything that could potentially happen to your mouth. Even when you’re old and your teeth have fallen out, you’re still going to need to visit them. This can include false teeth, but also to check up on your gum health. As for your dentist, you need to see one twice a year, every six months to be exact. While this may not sound grand, this is something that you’re going to need to stay dedicated to.

Never neglect your mouth

You were most likely told to brush twice and day and floss twice a day as a child, right? It’s something that everyone knows what to do. Brushing in the morning, and brushing again at night. But you can’t forget about flossing. While this sounds like a pain in the butt, you can’t neglect this either. Flossing is going to remove built-up plaque that the average toothbrush can’t reach. 

Plaque leads to tooth decay. Tooth decay is not a pretty sight, and it’s pretty painful as well. Not to mention, plaque also leads to gum disease, which is directly linked to cardiovascular problems. One thing leads to another which is why you can never neglect your mouth. Make sure you brush and floss every day, twice a day.

Skip out on the hard to chew foods

While there are some foods in the world that were specifically meant to be hard, you’re going to need to skip out on those, they’re not good for your teeth or your jaw. This also includes fingernails, hard candy, and ice.

Keep up a healthy diet

As a child, you were most likely told that sugar creates cavities, right? Well, that is completely true! Sugar does create cavities, and it’s something that you’re going to need to avoid at all costs. While you can eat some junk food here and there, just make sure that this is completely in moderation. A healthy diet is good for your physical, mental, and oral health. Good nutrition is needed to build those strong bones and teeth. So by all means, still indulge in your favourite sweets, but make sure you don’t eat too many, for the sake of your teeth!

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A healthy smile equates to good oral health, which will lead to a healthier body! So, here are 17 bright ideas to help you achieve a healthier smile:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day

Brushing before bed is essential, then choose another time during the day. This gets rid of bacteria in your mouth, stopping the plaque from forming and creating nasty cavities. 

Use fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride helps to fight bacteria and prevent your teeth from cavities. Using a non-fluoridated toothpaste is like washing yourself without soap – what’s the point? It’s especially important for kids as they are more prone to cavities than adults!

Don’t rinse your mouth after brushing

This washes away all of the fluoride and leaves your teeth unprotected. It’s like pressing the undo button after brushing your teeth. 

Use mouthwash after eating

Mouthwash can help you get rid of little bits of food stuck between your teeth and freshen your mouth after eating. This can also prevent staining and leave you with a fresh smile to be proud of. 

Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating

If you brush too soon, you will basically rub all of the bacteria into your teeth and allow it to settle there. 

Straighten your teeth

If you have wonky teeth, it can be a cause of self-consciousness. However, it also might lead to more dental issues down the line. If you contact Wahroonga Dental, you can learn more about the importance of straight teeth. With some braces of Invisalign, you will soon have a smile that you’re not afraid to show the world. 

Get teeth whitening

Teeth whitening treatment can help your smile look a lot healthier by getting rid of permanent stains. It’s an easy way to improve your confidence as well!

Floss daily

Flossing helps you get between your teeth to remove all the bacteria and food that hides there. You can’t reach these areas through brushing, so you need to floss as often as possible. It also helps with your overall gum health!

Don’t forget to brush your tongue

Yes, your tongue needs to be brushed when you brush your teeth. Again, it’s a breeding ground for bacteria, which can get on your teeth and create an unhealthy smile. 

Avoid sugar as much as possible

Sugar is the main culprit with regards to cavities. It settles on your teeth and solidifies to form plaque. Avoid sugary treats as much as possible. 

Don’t drink more than 150ml of fruit juice per day

Any more than this and you ingest too much sugar! Whole fruits are fine, but they become too sugary when broken down. 

Drink milk and eat cheese

These dairy products are great for neutralizing the pH balance in your mouth. In simple terms, they kill bacteria and stop acids from attacking our teeth, keeping your mouth healthy. 

Avoid acidic foods

Similarly, acidic foods will erode your teeth and cause loads of oral health problems. If you want a healthy smile, you have to avoid them. 

Drink water

Water helps to wash away bacteria and clean your mouth throughout the day. This could also stop things clinging to your teeth and causing staining. 

Use an electric toothbrush

The power from an electric toothbrush helps you remove far more plaque and dirt from your teeth. This will translate to a much healthier mouth and smile!

Replace missing teeth

If any of our adult teeth have fallen out, you should seek ways to replace them. Otherwise, this will cause your bones to resorb and more teeth to fall out!

See a dentist

Finally, be sure you see a dentist for regular checkups as they assess the health of your mouth and smile. From here, they can provide treatments or steps to help you achieve the healthiest smile possible. 

Follow all of these tips if you want to achieve a smile that’s genuinely healthy! You’ll have white teeth, a straight smile, and no oral health issues.