The health of your mouth and teeth is linked to overall well-being. Problems like gum disease and tooth decay can lead to heart disease, diabetes and preterm labor.

Dentists recommend limiting sugary foods, brushing your teeth gently and frequently (a rice-sized amount is enough for kids) and flossing daily. Flossing helps to get to places that toothbrushes cannot, including between your teeth and on your gums.

Brush Twice a Day

When it comes to your oral health, brushing and flossing are two of the most important things you can do to help prevent cavities. These regular habits help remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth and gums. Over time, plaque can eat away at the enamel and damage your gums. Fortunately, you can avoid this damage by practicing good dental hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly.

The number one thing most dentists recommend is to brush your teeth for about two minutes twice a day. Whether you brush first thing in the morning, before going to bed, or both, it’s critical to do this to keep your teeth healthy. However, how you brush your teeth matters just as much as when you brush them.

Here are some tips from dentists on how to brush your teeth properly:

– Use a toothbrush that is the right size for your mouth and brush your teeth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. – Don’t brush your teeth too hard, or you could damage the enamel and make it more vulnerable to decay.

– Don’t brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking something sugary. This can cause the bacteria in your plaque to produce acids that attack the enamel of your teeth, causing it to become soft and brittle. It’s best to wait about an hour before brushing after eating or drinking so that your saliva can wash the acid away and remineralize the enamel.

– Be sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste when brushing your teeth. It’s also important to replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles start to look worn.

Floss Daily

Flossing is one of the best things you can do to help prevent gum disease, reduce tooth decay and eliminate those stubborn food particles stuck between your teeth. It’s also a simple habit to pick up, and it only takes a few minutes of your day. Whether you choose to floss in the morning or evening is up to you, but make sure that you do it every day!

Those pesky food particles can hide unhelpful bacteria in between your teeth. These bacteria can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and even gum disease. Flossing removes those food particles and bacteria, preventing them from staying in your mouth to do their damage.

Many people don’t floss because they think it hurts, or they find it difficult to do. If you’re having trouble with your flossing technique, try talking to a dentist or dental hygienist. They can give you tips and tricks to help you with your technique. You can also find tools such as water flossers or interdental brushes that can make it easier for you to do the job.

It’s also a good idea to invest in some dental floss that is ADA approved, so you know it’s safe and effective. You can get it at most drugstores or online. Make sure you keep a pack in your purse, briefcase or backpack, so it’s easy to access when you need it!

Start with about 18 to 24 inches of floss and wrap both ends around your index and middle fingers. Angle the floss so that it hugges each tooth in a “c” shape, and then gently slide it up and down the surface of your teeth. Be careful not to use a sawing motion, as this can hurt your gums. Once you’ve finished with your upper and lower teeth, unwind the floss from your fingers and rewind it so that you have a fresh section to work with. If you prefer, you can use a different section each time to avoid spreading debris from one area of your mouth to another. It’s also a good idea to do your flossing before you brush, as it may help you achieve better results.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Visiting your dentist for regular checkups is an important part of taking care of your oral health. Your dentist and hygienist will remove any buildup of plaque and tartar, and they can give your teeth and gums a thorough cleaning. Regular cleanings can also help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. Besides checking your teeth, your dentist will also look at the area around your mouth, including your neck and jaw for any lumps or swelling. This is because it is possible that an abnormality in your mouth could be a sign of a serious health problem, such as cancer.

Dentists are also able to spot issues such as crooked teeth or broken ones, which can lead to more severe problems in the future. For example, crooked or broken teeth can affect your ability to chew properly and may even require expensive corrective procedures. In addition, dental infections and gum disease can be serious health concerns that can spread from the mouth to other parts of the body.

Most dentists recommend that patients visit their dentist every six months to make sure there are no major problems. However, some people may need to go to the dentist more often. This is especially true for children, who are more susceptible to tooth decay than adults. Also, people who have a habit of smoking or are suffering from gum disease should go to the dentist more frequently than those without such habits.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your diet has a big impact on your oral health. A poor diet can lead to tooth decay, which can cause gum disease and other dental issues. It is therefore important to eat a healthy diet, including lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

In addition, you should avoid sugary drinks and stick to water or unsweetened tea. Additionally, you should limit how much acidic food you eat, as this can damage your enamel layer and lead to tooth decay. It is also a good idea to brush your teeth after meals, and if you have to, then you should use an alcohol-free mouthwash.

Eat a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet isn’t just good for your body, it’s also great for your teeth. Eating a variety of foods from all the major food groups will provide your body with many vitamins and nutrients, which will help to keep your mouth healthy too. Eating sugary or acidic foods and drinks regularly can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, so try to avoid them as much as possible.

Drinking plenty of fluoridated water throughout the day is good for your teeth as it helps to wash away sugars and acids. In addition, drinking milk and yoghurt regularly is beneficial because it provides calcium that can help to protect against tooth decay. If you’re looking for a refreshing drink that is low in calories, try unsweetened green or black tea. These drinks are known to have anti-bacterial properties which can help fight plaque and freshen breath.

Eating foods high in calcium and phosphorus can help to strengthen teeth. Cheese, milk, plain yogurt, calcium-fortified tofu and leafy vegetables are all excellent sources of calcium, while lean proteins like meat, poultry, fish and eggs are a great source of phosphorus. Nuts can also be a good addition to your diet because they contain a lot of protein and calcium, as well as other nutrients that are good for your teeth. In addition, chewing on nuts can help to stimulate the production of saliva which can help to remove leftover food particles and reduce bacteria in the mouth.

When you do eat sugary or starchy foods, try to eat them as close to meal times as possible. This will help to ensure that your teeth are getting a protective coating of saliva, which can help to prevent bacteria from producing acids that damage the enamel of your teeth. You should also try to eat crunchy foods such as raw vegetables and fruits, as these can help to remove excess food particles from teeth, as well as massage the gums. They’re also a good source of folate, which can help to strengthen enamel and reduce gum disease.