It is important to have good oral hygiene. A healthy mouth and healthy teeth are not only beneficial to your overall appearance but also for your health. According to a study conducted by medical experts, the symptoms of general diseases often come out through oral problems. For example, if you are experiencing something unusual in your oral health, that could be a sign of a more serious illness.
If you take good care with your mouth this is not limited to your teeth but also your tongue and gums. Aside from toothbrushing that has been the main goal of maintaining good dental hygiene, people would often rely on their dentist to get things done perfectly. However, not everyone has the access to dental clinics due to financial struggles, or worst they may be experiencing dentophobia. If you are experiencing the same problem, no worries, we’ve got you covered! We are here to help you to be well-informed as to how to have healthy teeth and gums in order to smile brighter.
How to Have Healthy Teeth Without a Dentist?
You should avoid sugary foods and drinks, use a water flosser, replace your toothbrush, brushing your tongue, and more. There is a need to follow these dental practices even if you don’t consult a dentist in keeping healthy teeth and gums!
1. Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks
Some of the best foods people would like to eat contains sugar. Of course, who on earth would say no when to different delicious desserts and sweets, right? But we need to be reminded that these sugary foods are the #1 enemy of our teeth. You are not only feeding your cravings when you eat ice cream and chocolates but also the bad bacteria in your teeth. Once the bad bacteria produce acid it will make your enamel thin, resulting in yellowish teeth or cavities. Do not ignore this because recent studies show that the more a person consumes sugar, the higher the risk of cavities.
Aside from food, people who also into sugary drinks because they taste good than other drinks especially that they are sweetened. However, if you are really on a goal of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, you will surely look for alternatives that are also delicious but won’t damage your teeth. Instead of candies and soft drinks for your snacks, why not try fruits and vegetables that are also sweet but with 0% sugar content? Now for your drinks, make some hot teas and lemon water if you don’t like the bland taste of pure water. In this way, you are not just seeking for a healthy mouth but also for a healthy body.
2. Use a Water Flosser
If you are used to regular flossing, it may be effective but at some point, you may experience that your gum is bleeding. Although it helps you to remove food residue from your teeth it is never a good trade if it damages your gum tissues. Most dentists recommend flossing but if you are not used to having appointments with them, we are going to share with you the things about flossing that you may not have heard before.
A water flosser is a new way of flossing your teeth. It is a handy device that sprays water directly into your teeth and gums. People with braces or other dental implants would choose a water flosser over the string one. In this way, they will not be having a hard time removing the food particles that are stuck in their teeth because the water streams can be adjusted in just one move of their hands. Moreover, it removes the stains and plaque in your teeth but not in a painful way. It was even proven that a water flosser and manual toothbrush is significantly more effective than a manual brush and string floss in removing plaque from tooth surfaces. If you don’t have one, don’t worry because you can always find the best water flosser.
3. Replace Your Toothbrush
You will not be confident to smile brighter if you haven’t brushed your teeth so it is important to take good care of your toothbrush the same way you protect your mouth. After brushing or before brushing, it is advisable to rinse it well and store it in an area that is not humid and free of any germs and bacteria. It needs to be separated from any toothbrushes because you will never know the dental problems of the people you are with.
So, if you are reading this now and your toothbrush is the same toothbrush you have used for 4 months or more now, it is time to replace it with something new. The #1 health agency from the US (Centers for Disease Prevention and Control) recommends replacing your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Or else the worn bristles will not be able to brush away the stains or bacteria that reside in your teeth. It may be too shallow to do but if neglected, your oral health will suffer more than you expect.
4. Don’t Forget Your Tongue
The most forgotten part of your mouth when taking care of your oral health is the tongue. People who have bad breath will often think that the problem is in their teeth or in their gums, without even knowing that most of these bacteria that cause mouth odor reside in the tongue. You will notice if your tongue contains bacteria when you can no longer taste the flavor of the food you eat. Scraping your tongue will not only remove the bacteria but also give you an increased appetite.
However, in cleaning your tongue, make sure to do it gently or your tongue will bleed. If you want to get a step-by-step guide, just watch the video below.
5. Consider a Mouthrinse
This may sound very ordinary but we need to remind this everyone over and over again. A simple toothbrushing will not totally remove all stains and bacteria in your mouth. The use of a mouth rinse is important since you can’t brush your gum, and the only way to clean it is by gargling out the bacteria that blocks you from having a healthy mouth.
Mouthwashes are not only for people with bad breath but also for everyone who wants to prevent tooth decay, tartar, and stains. However, this can never be the alternative to brushing and flossing but it is a great addition to your oral care regimen. We understand that it is very hard to choose a mouthwash when there are a lot of brands being sold in the market today. But this is something that you should not worry about because random oral health research concluded that there is no difference in plaque removal between alcohol and alcohol-free mouthwashes.
Conclusion
If you are up for the challenge to keep healthy teeth and gums, make sure that you take things to the next level. How can one smile brighter if they don’t have a healthy mouth and gums? To follow these healthy teeth routines, make sure that you set your schedule right and the equipment you needed the most especially the water flosser.
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Disclaimer:
The content in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen. The author and publisher do not take responsibility for any consequences resulting from the information provided in this article.