By Emma Sturgis
Your oral health may be the last thing you want to think about throughout the course of a busy day, but keeping your teeth and gums healthy doesn’t have to be complicated—nor does it need to take long! The following are five simple things you can do every day to keep your mouth as healthy and clean as possible:
Brush Your Teeth
This seems like a no-brainer, but there are many people who don’t take the time to brush their teeth properly. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time. 120 seconds seems like a lot of time to spend just brushing your teeth, but this can actually be the most helpful way to get rid of cavity-causing plaque and other harmful bacteria.
Flossing
Most would agree that flossing seems like a pretty tedious and unnecessary chore, but there’s a reason dentists harp on their patients to floss regularly. Flossing is the most effective way to clean in between your teeth, something a toothbrush just can’t do sometimes.
Rinse with Mouthwash
Now here’s a fun way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. All it is a swig of your favorite mouthwash and thirty seconds of swishing to kill most of the harmful bacteria in your mouth.What could be easier?
Eat Healthy Foods for Your Teeth
Sugar has certainly gotten a bad rap over the years when it comes to causing cavities. While it is known that sweet and sticky foods contribute to bacteria growth in the mouth, regular brushing and flossing can prevent this. Instead of avoiding certain foods, a Hamilton dentist suggests eating foods that can actually help you in your quest for healthy teeth and gums. These foods includefresh grapes, cranberries, milk, tea and cheese—all of which have been shown to fight harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Examine Your Own Teeth and Gums
This is probably the easiest thing you can do everyday. Just take a few more seconds after you’re done brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash to inspect your teeth and gums. Are your gums red and bleeding? Is there a strange sore anywhere on the inside of your mouth? If something doesn’t look or feel quite right, it might be time for a check-up with your dentist.
It only takes a few minutes each day to maintain good oral health practices. Doing each of the activities listed above on a daily basis will lead to stronger, healthier teeth and gums.
Informational Credit to York & Bay Dental Office
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