Keeping your teeth looking, and feeling healthy starts with great oral hygiene practices. That includes the steps you take at home when cleaning your teeth, the meals you eat, and the various activities you take up. With at-home care, you can make the odds of periodontal disease and other oral problems less likely.

Below are some tips to consider using for caring for your teeth within the comfort of your home.

Starting at Home With Improvement

The dental hygiene process starts at home and this is a very important part of keeping your teeth healthy and clean. The bathroom is the main place where people will take care of their oral hygiene as this is where most people let their hygeine products rest. Having a place to keep them organized and safe is a priority. Some have triple functioning toothbrush holders that also serve as a soap holder and a water cup. Others keep their dental hygeine supplies in drawers or cabinets as these are necessities in most bathrooms. Som people keep other oral accessories, such as floss or mouthwash in other rooms that have water or a sink and trash available.

A main practice to also keep in mind at home is eating healthy and cutting back on food that can negatively affect your mouth. For example, having milk within your home to help calcium buildup is excellent. However, keeping snacks or sweets at home with lots of sugar or syrup can create cavities especially if not being cleaned as needed. These products should obviously be homed in the kitchen area of your home as they are in the food category.

 Consuming water at home is a good step to include within the dental process. To improve water intake you may want to add a water filter to your sink in the bathroom or kitchen area. The water you consume will definitely need to be ran through a filter or tested to make sure that it is safe for you and your teeth. You do not want to drink bottled water all the time as it does not contain some nutrients you need with tap water. This is where the filter comes into play as it keeps the nutrients but also if operated correctly guarantees the water is safe to drink.

Brush Regularly and Properly 

The minimum time to brush your teeth is twice per day; however, many dental professionals and programs suggest brushing after each meal to stop bacterial and food particles from accumulating. It is just as important at night, before bed, as you can remove germs and plaque built up throughout the day. Most professionals recommend brushing for at least two minutes each time while using fluoride toothpaste, as it can fight against tooth decay.

Failing to brush properly could be just as negative as not brushing at all, which is why the methods applied to the process are equally important. Circular movements help to remove plaque, and you should always be gentle while taking your time, as opposed to rushing the process. The objective is to remove built-up plaque, which can lower the odds of gum disease and other dental problems.

Use Dental Floss

Flossing daily, at least once per day, is just as crucial as brushing your teeth. Although brushing can remove visible surfaces of your teeth, flossing can reach the difficult-to-access areas between the teeth. Doing so can stave off plaque buildup and gum disease.

However, you have recommendations from dental professionals to floss more than once each day. The step could also prevent bad breath caused by tarter buildup and plaque. 

Be sure to use the proper amount of floss, at least 18 inches, as you need to reach in between the teeth. The section of the floss you use should be cleaned for each tooth and thrown away after usage.

Always be gentle with the gum lines, which is easier to do when not applying too much pressure and going slowly with your back-and-forth motions, as opposed to roughly sawing. Once complete, for more dental benefits, it would be an excellent idea to rinse your mouth with mouthwash or water.

Eat Healthy

When caring for your teeth at home, the foods and beverages you eat are just as vital as actual dental care. Keep in mind that all foods are not healthy, just like different beverages, such as waters made with different minerals, or certain types of teas and coffees, could be bad for your teeth and gums.

It would be best to avoid sugars and starches, as foods and drinks heavy with these products can prevent salvia from protecting your teeth against acids and enzymes. Items with high amounts of calcium are great, as well as protein-rich meats and foods that provide great sources of phosphorus. Some great foods to consider are poultry, fish, cheese, plain yogurts, leafy green vegetables, almonds, and eggs.

Cookies, cakes, candy bars, and other sweets can harm the teeth by weakening the enamel. Over time, it can lead to infections and actual tooth loss. By avoiding sweets and unhealthy carbohydrates, you can protect the outer layer of your teeth and prevent them from being vulnerable to cavities. Having strong enamel can shield your teeth from damage.

Consume More Water

When it comes to your physical health, water is key. That also applies to your oral well-being. Drinking a cup of water after each meal could potentially wash out negative aspects of sticky foods or items full of acids that would negatively impact tooth enamel. 

Drinking one glass of water could reduce bacteria that leads to bad breath and wash away residue that causes stains on the teeth. Although bottled water is okay to drink, it is necessary to consume tap water as well. Regardless, the water should consume fluoride, and it generally comes more in tap water. Tap water could also remove plaque that is stuck between your teeth and lower the odds of gum disease.

Even with the best at-home dental care routine, it is still necessary to see your dentist at least twice per year, regardless of how great of a brusher and flosser you may be. A dental professional can look for cavities and take up different practices, such as removing calculus. If your dental insurance company allows for more than two checkups yearly, it would be best to take advantage of these options to keep your teeth in good shape.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Los Gatos Family Dentistry