If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while or have been neglecting your dental hygiene, we want to reassure you that it isn’t too late to get back on track and prioritize your dental health.
No matter what your age is, how healthy or unhealthy your teeth may currently be or when your last dental exam was, you can learn how to improve your dental hygiene from where you are right now – and your dentist can always do something to help.
How to Quickly Improve Your Dental Hygiene
Think taking care of your teeth will be a chore? You may be surprised to find out that some of the best ways to improve your dental hygiene are quick and simple.
Start incorporating the tips below into your regular routine and they’ll soon become habits you do without even thinking about them. Tackle one at a time if that’s more manageable, only adding a new habit once you’ve successfully implemented the prior one.
- Brush your teeth twice a day – This is such a simple step that so many people overlook. But brushing your teeth in the morning and at night is critical for removing plaque build-up and bacteria that lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Just avoid brushing vigorously, as it can damage your gums and teeth.
- Use fluoride toothpaste – Fluoride helps strengthen your tooth enamel, helping to prevent tooth decay.
- Brush your tongue – Tongues harbor bacteria and need to be cleaned too. Use your toothbrush to brush your tongue each time you brush your teeth or get a tongue scraper to do the job.
- Floss daily – While brushing is critical, it doesn’t take care of everything. Flossing is a complement to brushing, as floss is able to reach all the crevices that are too small for toothbrushes to get to.
- Limit your sugar intake – Foods high in sugar and starch can lead to tooth decay because sugar reacts with the bacteria in your saliva, forming an acid that erodes your tooth enamel. Cutting back on sugary foods will help keep your tooth enamel intact, protecting your teeth.
- Drink water – Drinking enough water each day is important for overall health – and this includes dental health. At a minimum, drink a tall glass of water following every meal and snack. This will help counteract some of the negative effects of foods and beverages in between brushing, especially sugary, sticky and acidic ones.
- See your dentist at least twice a year – While the everyday habits listed above are essential for getting back on track with good oral hygiene and maintaining your dental health, dental visits are also a necessary part of your oral care. Even those with the best dental hygiene habits should see their dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups, allowing the dentist to remove plaque buildup that brushing and flossing doesn’t, as well as look for cavities and spot other potential issues.
Why It’s Important to Maintain Your Dental Health
Many people don’t understand the impact that poor dental health has on their overall health. Not taking care of your dental health can lead to a variety of health problems and increase your risk for conditions such as heart disease and respiratory issues.
Dental health can lead to improved overall health, not to mention beautiful teeth – both of which will give you more confidence and boost your self-esteem.
Visit a Dental Depot Office Near You
Get a fresh start at one of our dental practices. No matter what your situation is or what has been preventing you from getting to the dentist – whether a crazy schedule, financial issues, dental anxiety or something else – we’re here to help. We offer high-quality, affordable dental care for the entire family and provide a comfortable atmosphere that allows you to get the dental care you need in a relaxed and stress-free way.
Request an appointment at an office near you. Our team members will be happy to help you get on the path to improved dental health today.