Oral care isn't just something that happens at the dental office. While routine dental checkups are essential for maintaining optimal oral health, oral care needs to be a part of everyday life. Fortunately, there are some simple best practices for oral care that can help to keep your teeth looking their best! Here are some tips for keeping your mouth healthy.

What Is Oral Care?

Oral care is the practice of taking steps to maintain good oral health. Your oral health includes your teeth, gums, and tongue. In addition to keeping teeth white and promoting fresh breath, good oral care at home can help you to avoid cavities, tooth loss, gum infections, abscesses, and other issues that can be both painful and expensive. Oral health is also a part of overall health. Did you know that poor oral hygiene actually increases risks for heart disease, stroke, and cancer?

Tips for How to Care for Your Oral Health at Home

There's one habit that is the most important when it comes to maintaining good oral health. Every single person should be brushing and flossing twice daily. If you're able, you can also consider brushing and flossing between all snacks and meals to cut down on the amount of plaque bacteria that is allowed to form on your teeth between brushings. Here are some tips from the American Dental Association (ADA) on smart and effective brushing habits:

• Teeth should be brushed twice daily for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste.

• In general, placing the toothbrush against the gumline at a 45-degree angle in order to reach plaque located within the gingival margin is recommended.

• Good brushing technique involves gently moving the toothbrush back and forth using short strokes.

• Tilting the brush vertically to make up-and-down strokes is recommended for cleaning the inside surface of the front teeth.

• Proper brushing involves all inner and outer chewing surfaces.

• Gentle pressure should be applied during brushing.

• A soft-bristled toothbrush is recommended. 

The ADA also recommends flossing twice daily for at least two to three minutes each time. If you are having difficulty removing debris from hard-to-reach spots between teeth, interdental cleaners that allow you to access teeth from different angles are recommended. Interdental cleaners include picks, threaded flossers, tiny brushes, air-powered flossers, and water-powered flossers.

Everyday Habits That Improve Oral Health

Better oral health doesn't just come down to what you do in front of the bathroom sink. It turns out that things we do during the day also impact oral health. If you're currently a smoker, you're putting yourself at risk for tooth decay and poor overall oral health.

Your daily water intake can also impact oral health. Water is important for oral health because it helps to rinse acidity and stickiness from teeth between brushes. It's actually recommended that you drink water after every meal for this reason. Additionally, what we eat matters for oral health. Sugary snacks and processed foods contain sugars that turn to acid in our mouths. This acid can erode tooth enamel to cause gingivitis, cavities, sensitivity, and decay. The good news is that what we eat can also have a positive impact on oral health. For example, crunchy fruits and vegetables offer a satisfying way to nibble on snacks without the sugar and acidity of processed or prepackaged foods. Chewing fruits and vegetables can also help to naturally clean teeth surfaces.

The final habit that's important for oral health is to make sure you're booking routine cleanings twice a year. By seeing your dentist every six months, you'll enjoy the benefits of professional cleanings that address plaque that we can't necessarily reach with our toothbrushes at home. Routine visits also give your dentist a chance to spot any cavities or emerging problems that can turn into major dental problems if left ignored.

What to Have at Home for Your Oral Health

For most people, a simple toothbrush and pack of floss will be enough to stay on top of oral health! You can also consider implementing an electric toothbrush, mouthwash, and tongue scraper into your routine. Many people are unaware of the benefits of tongue scraping for oral health. Scraping your tongue can help to remove harmful bacterial strains from your mouth that are posing risks for cavities and gum inflammation. Many people who use tongue scrapers also experience the benefits of fresher breath and improved taste. Of course, simply having these tools in your bathroom drawer won't cut it! Good oral hygiene at home boils down to committing to twice-daily brushing and flossing without any exceptions!

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Sierra Dental Care