Caring for Your Oral Health

8 Great Tips for Great Oral Health

Like most people, you probably know that you should brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly — preferably once a day. But, these are just the basics. In this article, CG Smile aims to help you become an oral hygiene genius. Read on to read these eight great tips for better oral health!

#1. Always Brush Before You Go to Bed

This is a big one. When you sleep, your saliva production reaches an absolute low. What does that have to do with brushing, you ask? Your saliva works to constantly regulate bacteria. While you sleep, the "bad bacteria" in your mouth flourishes. Brushing helps to keep plaque in check.

#2. Get Serious About Flossing

We know... most people don't floss regularly. This is also why a majority of cavities occur in the tight spaces between teeth that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. You should floss at least once a day, preferably before you brush, before bedtime.

#3. The Angle of Your Brush Matters

When you brush, trying to angle your brush 45 degrees so the bristles point to the gumline. This method helps to brush away the plaque that grows just under the gums and is a great technique to prevent gingivitis.

#4. Don't Forget Your Tongue!

Plaque doesn't just build up on your teeth, but also finds a home in the grooves and crevices of your tongue. Do your oral health a favor and invest in a tongue scraper or a tongue brush.

#5. Go with a Fluoride Toothpaste

There are many fluoride-free toothpastes on the market these days, but the science still points to the benefits of using a topical fluoride to prevent cavities. If you want to change things up, you can use a fluoride-free toothpaste once every other day. Many patients love how fresh their mouth feels with a charcoal-based toothpaste, but overdoing it can wear down the enamel.

#6. Use a Mouthwash

Mouthwashes help to balance the pH of the mouth as well as eliminate harmful bacteria and plaque in those hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Ask your dentist to recommend a mouthwash based on your personal oral hygiene goals.

#7. Limit Your Sugars and Eat More Veggies

Diet contributes more to oral health than many realize. By limiting your intake of sugars, you are also reducing the amount of sugar-loving bacteria in your mouth. Also, be sure to drink more water and eat plenty of veggies. Both of these are important in flushing out bacteria from your system. Cravings can be difficult to pinpoint; before you reach for that mid-afternoon snack, drink 12 ounces of water and see if maybe your body was just trying to tell you that you needed to hydrate.

#8. Attend Regular Checkups

We can't stress this enough. Most patients only visit a dentist when they sense something is wrong. Most oral health problems come about slowly. This means your dentist can help you correct a minor issue before it becomes a major threat to your oral health. Schedule a checkup and ask your dentist to recommend a checkup schedule based on your current oral health needs. Preventive dentistry is always less expensive than restorative dentistry -- and your smile will thank you!

Have a Question?

Have a question about keeping your mouth healthy and your teeth looking great? Contact CG Smile and ask us about our complete smile makeover package, which also includes regular checkups.