How good is your oral health care?
You might think, “Well, I brush every day!”. If that’s the case, you might want to take another look at your oral healthcare routine. Too many American adults and children today are struggling with cavities, periodontal disease, and even jaw pain because their routines aren’t up to snuff. With the new year in full swing and the opportunity for good habits endless, now’s a good time to do some reflecting. An upgrade on your morning and night routine will not just make you feel better, but you’ll save a lot more money.
Before you look up a family dentist in your area, take a look at the list below. Here are five important ingredients to any effective oral healthcare routine.
Replace Your Toothbrush Every Few Months
This might come as a surprise, but just brushing your teeth isn’t enough. You need to be sure your brush is up to the task! According to recent studies, nearly 20% of children between the ages of five and 19 have untreated dental cavities. As many as 30% of adults between the ages of 20 and 45 are struggling with multiple cavities, alongside other issues like gingivitis and jaw pain. The bristles of your toothbrush need to be stiff enough to break up stubborn plaque and massage your gums — anything less and you could be doing little to nothing for your oral health.
Floss Twice A Day Or After Every Meal
This is a major problem for many people today. Not only is brushing absolutely essential to keep plaque from irritating your gums, flossing is required to remove bacteria and food from between your teeth. Most dentists today recommend you floss twice a day or after every meal. It’s important to floss correctly, too — you need to move your string down the tooth and into the gum, rather than just moving it back and forth. The difference this good habit will make in your life is astounding!
Make Sure To Rinse On A Regular Basis
When’s the last time you gargled and rinsed? If the answer is, “…Um.”, jot down a note on your grocery list for some mouthwash. Not only will this give you minty fresh breath, you’ll do the important work of eliminating any lingering bacteria that could cause a cavity. The top dentists today determined more than one out of four American adults today has untreated tooth decay, that of which can cause permanent jaw damage in the long-term. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing is a powerful combination that will keep your smile bright and your wallet light.
Reduce Your Intake Of Sugary Foods, Caffeine And Snacks
This might be a tougher habit to build, but it’ll very much be worth it. A lot of the hard work we have to do combating periodontal disease and cavities is caused by diet. Those tasty sodas and useful energy drinks have a darker side, introducing far more sugar than you need into the nooks and crannies of your mouth. This goes for candy, salty foods, and even seemingly innocuous snacks. A recent dental clinic study found around 50% of people with gum disease don’t even know they have it!
Visit Your Dental Clinic At Least Once A Year
What else can you do on top of swapping out that old toothbrush and committing to regular flossing? You can visit your local dental clinic on a regular basis and enjoy quality dental care. Even the most attentive person can still miss out on a developing cavity, that of which can be buffed out by a dentist faster than you can say ‘half-off Listerine’. Recent research has found some pretty startling correlations between our quality of life and oral health. The more missing natural teeth a person has, the more their life expectancy decreases.
Give yourself something to smile about. Reach out to an Austin dental clinic this year and set up a teeth cleaning appointment…you won’t regret it!
