Everyone in Palm Beach Gardens and the surrounding areas wants to have good oral hygiene, but when it comes to dental health, most people don’t put much effort into it aside from regular brushing and occasional flossing. Sure, it goes without saying that these things are absolutely necessary, but applying additional effort during our regular oral hygiene routines can go a long way in terms of reinforcing overall oral health. There are a number of easy ways to do so from the comfort of your own home, aside from visiting a dentist in Palm Beach Gardens. Many are inexpensive, and only require a few additional minutes of time. The good thing is, that by making habits out of the following 4 tips, you can bolster the health of your gums, teeth, and mouth, thereby making it less likely you fall victim to serious diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.
1. Brush Twice Daily
Brushing twice daily is one of the most effective ways of maintaining your dental health from home. Typically, you should do so after meals, but there are little known exceptions to this rule. For example, you should delay brushing after eating something acidic for a minimum of 30 minutes. Brushing too early after consuming foods that contain citric acid could severely weaken the enamel.
2. Floss Regularly
Flossing is imperative to maintaining your oral health, mostly due to the fact that it deals with the location from which most gum diseases are conceived directly. The area between the gums and teeth is key, especially since normal brushing doesn’t contact this area, and therefore it must be addressed by other means. If plaque has the opportunity to build up in these areas, then so do harmful gum diseases, not to mention bad breath and decay. The best way to floss is to take about 18 inches of floss, applying it with gentle pressure between each crevice of your individual teeth and gums. Then replace the used floss with a new string, repeating the process on the next layer of your teeth.
3. Avoid Acidic Drinks
Consuming acidic food and drink frequently could damage your enamel, especially if they are not consumed alongside the water. These foods, can over time wear away at your enamel, resulting in discoloration of teeth and a deterioration in oral health. As the enamel further weakens, your teeth will become increasingly sensitive to simple daily tasks such as brushing. The good thing is that drinking more water, and avoiding these foods, can be done from home, keeping your enamel healthy and strong.
4. Avoid Using Toothpicks
It is generally recommended that one stick to using dentist recommended interdental cleaning devices. Toothpicks never make these lists for a variety of reasons. This is often because they can weaken or harm the gums, and the amount of plaque they end up removing is subpar. They have also been directly linked to abrasion of the base of the teeth. Instead, floss thoroughly for your own dental safety.
Final Thoughts
Adhering to these tips could mean valuable long and short term differences in your oral health. Although putting in the extra time to do so may feel strenuous at first, you will quickly develop new habits, and your teeth and gums will be increasingly fortified from harmful oral diseases. If it feels like an overwhelming regimen, try starting with one tip, and then every few weeks implement another.
Contact our dental practice in Palm Beach Gardens today via our website, or call now! (561) 624-2224
