When you turn to your dentist for tips on maintaining healthy teeth, you might expect a series of tooth related recommendations. Instead, what you will usually receive will be a firm emphasis on gum hygiene.
Why? Well…healthy gums mean healthy teeth!
Gums are like the foundations for a house. A house can get damaged and won’t be able to last without good foundations.
The same goes for the mouth. Without proper care, the gums can become infected and start to bleed (gingivitis). If this continues then the jaw bone that the teeth attach to can start to dissolve away (periodontal disease). With time the teeth start to become loose until eventually they fall out.
To prevent this from happening, let’s look at a few ways in which you can practice healthy oral hygiene:
Floss
It’s inconvenient, it’s time-consuming, and it’s probably going to save your mouth. Don’t skip this vital step in your morning and evening hygiene routine! Regular flossing will ensure nasty plaque build-ups don’t stick around long enough to turn into tartar – one of bacteria’s favourite spots to hang out and cause trouble!
Don’t like floss?
No problem, there are a number of floss alternatives we can recommend. From bottle brushes that fit between the teeth to water floss, there is more than one way to “skin a cat” (so to speak).
Rinse
Antibacterial mouthwash (usually pricier than the one on your average supermarket shelf) provides you with more than just a minty smelling mouth. This antibacterial germ-killer can rinse away a good dose of the harmful bacteria that hangs around to wreak havoc in amid your pearly whites. While mouthwash by itself doesn’t replace brushing and flossing, it definitely helps. Just be sure not to use it right after brushing, as this will rinse away any of the protective work your toothpaste is doing for your gums and teeth.
Brush
For this tip, you’re going to need to make sure you have a soft-bristled toothbrush. When you brush your teeth make sure you point the bristles on a 45 degree angle towards the gums. This means that when you brush your teeth you’re showing those gums some love too!
Regular dental trips
See your dentist in Lower Hutt regularly! Active maintenance (hygiene) visits are a vital step to keeping those gums going strong and thus maintaining healthy teeth. Your mouth can quickly become a bacterial hot spot, so book regular dental checks so that your Wellington dentist can keep an eye on your oral problem areas and prevent minor problems from turning major!