Healthy teeth and gums are incredibly important aspects of life that can have extensive benefits if maintained properly. Your oral hygiene doesn’t just impact your oral health, it can impact your overall well-being, too. If you don’t maintain good oral health, it can lead to unnecessary problems, like tooth decay, gum disease and even tooth loss. Fortunately, there are several steps you can follow to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Here, at The Village Dentist, your Castle Hill Dental practice, we want you to have the confidence and comfort of knowing your teeth and gums are healthy. Our Castle Hill dentists are highly qualified and dedicated to ensuring you have the healthy smile you deserve! In this article, we explain the importance of maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine and provide six tips to improve your dental health.
The importance of good oral hygiene
You’ve likely heard plenty of times that maintaining a healthy smile is important, but you might not know exactly why. Below, you can explore some of the main reasons healthy teeth and gums are important:
Preventing tooth decay
Preventing gum disease
Gum disease is another oral health problem that a buildup of plaque can cause. The initial stage of gum disease is gingivitis, but if left untreated, it can escalate to a periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis. Periodontitis and gingivitis typically cause swollen and red gums and, if left to their own devices, might cause tooth loss and other health issues.
Maintaining your overall health
6 oral health tips to improve your teeth and gums
1. Have regular dental check-ups
The best defence against oral health problems is regular dental check-ups. Consider visiting your local dentist at least twice a year, even if you practice excellent oral hygiene habits at home. Our dentists in Castle Hill are experts in all types of dental treatments. During a dental check-up, our dental team can perform a scale and polish, identify any potential oral health issues and suggest helpful treatments to help you achieve and maintain a healthy smile.
2. Practice excellent oral hygiene habits
While dental check-ups are essential, they’re not enough to maintain your oral health on their own. An excellent at-home oral hygiene regime is critical to the health of your teeth and gums. It’s vital to brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning and evening. This can prevent plaque from building up on your teeth and breaking down the protective layer of enamel. It’s also important to brush properly – harder is not better! Aggressive brushing can damage your gums. It’s a good idea to brush in gentle circular motions. As for flossing, consider it as important as brushing. Flossing can help you remove food particles between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach, reduce plaque buildup and lessen any inflammation.
3. Avoid sugary foods
While many of us find sugary foods quite delicious, they contribute to poor oral health. When you eat sugary foods, they essentially convert into acid in your mouth, stripping away the enamel protecting your teeth. Other consumables, such as acidic fruits, tea and coffee, may also strip away the enamel on your teeth. You don’t necessarily have to give these things up, but it’s often best to eat and drink them in moderation. You can treat yourself to a sugary snack now and then, but if most of your meals contain a lot of sugar, consider adjusting your diet.
4. Avoid smoking
Most of society knows by now that smoking is an unhealthy habit. It can speed up cancer growth in your body and also contribute to dental issues. When you smoke, your immune system doesn’t operate at 100%, meaning it’s difficult for your body to heal itself, including your gums. Smoking might lead to gingivitis or periodontitis, along with yellow staining on your teeth and tongue.
5. Drink plenty of water
It might seem simple and obvious, but drinking water is the healthiest liquid you can consume, especially when compared to sugary and acidic drinks. It’s not only good for the health of your mouth but also for your overall health. Drinking water during meal times can also help wash away acidic food particles that might otherwise linger on your teeth and gums.
6. Use mouthwash
Using mouthwash can be a great addition to your oral hygiene regime. It can reduce the acidity in your mouth, remove food particles between your teeth, protect your gums and tooth enamel and reduce the likelihood of gingivitis. There are many types of mouthwash available, so if you’re unsure which one is best for you or your children, consider asking your dentist at your next dental check-up.
Maintain a healthy smile at The Village Dentist
Here at The Village Dentist, we understand how important your oral health is for your general well-being. Our expert dental team at our Castle Hill dental practice has the technology, knowledge and expertise to provide the most professional dental services. We offer an extensive range of quality dental services, from dental check-ups to oral surgery and cosmetic dentistry. Take the step toward having your healthiest mouth ever and contact us today!