General dentists spend much of their time teaching patients how to care for their teeth. It is easy to prevent issues such as tooth decay and gum disease, and it doesn’t cost much. Exceptional oral hygiene habits become a part of your daily routine, so you don’t even need to think about it.
Although the enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it is also constantly being attacked by bacteria and acids. Dental erosion can occur when these bacteria and acids eat away at the minerals which make enamel. This can lead to cavities in the teeth and gum disease.
General dentists share oral hygiene tips
These are the basic tips general dental professionals can share with patients to help protect and maintain their teeth. These are:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day
Brushing your teeth twice daily is a good way to maintain good dental hygiene. Brushing helps remove food particles from the mouth that can be converted into acids by bacteria. Brushing can also be used to remove bacteria and acids from the mouth.
To give your teeth time to heal from constant attacks, dentists recommend that you brush at least twice a day. Before going to bed, brushing is the most important. This will remove bacteria and acids from your teeth that have been accumulated throughout the day.
Sleeping reduces saliva production, making teeth more susceptible to attacks. These attacks can be minimized by brushing your teeth before you go to bed. Every brushing session should take no less than two minutes.
Floss As Often as You Can
Brushing is equally important as flossing. It cleans between the teeth in tight places that can’t be reached by a toothbrush. These spaces can still be large enough for plaque and bacteria to build up and eat away at teeth, so it is important that they are cleaned at least once per day.
Use mouthwash
Mouthwash is used to clean the areas that flossing and brushing are not sufficient. Antibacterial mouthwash reduces acid production by killing oral bacteria. Fluoride can also be added to some mouthwashes to help remineralize the teeth.
Limit Sugar intake to a minimum
Sugar is bad for your teeth. Even foods that aren’t very sweet like rice can cause tooth decay. Sugary foods can cause tooth decay for long periods of time.
Sugar is acidic, and oral bacteria converts it to other acids. To minimize the effects of sugar on your teeth, rinse your mouth with water.
At least twice per year, visit a dentist
A dentist can perform preventative treatments like cleanings twice a year to keep your teeth healthy. This also allows you to catch any problems before they become serious.