Healthy living requires having healthy teeth and healthy gums. If you ignore the importance of oral health, you will surely pay the price with some horrible and painful health issues. In fact, oral health is so important that problems with teeth and gums have been linked to heart problems. With all this in mind, below are four oral health tips to live by.
Brush, Floss, and Rinse
If there is one tip you should take to heart above all others it is to brush, floss and rinse more than once a day. While this may seem like obvious advice, too many people do not follow it. Make sure you brush after every meal. You must also rinse and floss once a day before you sleep. However, rinsing and flossing earlier in the day as well would be even more beneficial. You can’t overdo it.
Go to Your Dental Checkups
Even if you currently do not sense any tooth pain or other serious issues, you should always go to your dentist appointments. Some companies, such as Rabel Family Dentistry, know that you should have a checkup once or twice a year at the minimum. Doing so will allow you to discover problems that may be developing so you can have them solved before they turn into bigger issues. You may be completely ignorant of the existence of things like cavities that need to be immediately addressed.
Have Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned
While brushing, flossing and rinsing are important, professional cleanings go a step beyond in regards to removing things like plaque from your teeth and bacteria from your gums. Teeth cleanings are covered by most forms of dental insurance. You should get at least two teeth cleanings a year and have them paid for by your coverage.
Watch What You Put in Your Mouth
Certain things can greatly erode your oral health. This includes cigarettes that can yellow your teeth and cause bad breath. It includes tobacco chew that can even cause oral cancer. In regards to your diet, avoid foods that are high in sugar like candy and non-diet soft drinks. If you do eat something sugary, try to brush immediately afterwards to limit the negative impact on your teeth. Certain starchy foods like potato chips can also get caught between the teeth and gums and cause problems.
Overall, no one has good oral health without taking the proper steps. This includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing. It includes going to dentist appointments and teeth cleaning appointments. It also includes avoiding things like tobacco and sugary foods. If you take these steps, your oral health should be greatly improved.
