Austin Hayes, MD
Taking proper care of your mouth is very important. Many other areas of your health are closely related to your dental health. For this reason, you should always do your best to make sure your teeth, gum and tongue are well taken care of. Use the tips that follow to make sure your mouth is as healthy as possible.
Make sure you're taking care of your teeth. You should floss, brush your teeth, and use an oral rinse at least twice a day. This can help prevent any problems from ever arising. If you're unsure of what products you should be using, don't be afraid to ask your dentist.
Only use mouthwash free of alcohol. Alcohol as an ingredient can dry out the tissues in your mouth. This creates a breeding ground for the very bacteria you are hoping to avoid. Alcohol-free mouthwash is also less of a temptation for kids and teenagers looking to experiment with when bored.
Take care of your toothbrush. After you finish cleaning your teeth, make sure you clean your toothbrush, too. Simply wash it off with water and place it in a toothbrush holder so that it is standing up. Putting your toothbrush in a case is not advisable, because bacteria is more likely to grow that way.
Make sure you spend a full two or three minutes brushing your teeth twice daily. To help you keep brushing, there are a couple of tricks you can use. You can buy an electronic toothbrush with a timer. Play a song that is 2 or 3 minutes long while you brush.
When you want to start flossing, don't worry about the length of the floss you pull out. About two feet of dental floss is actually needed to give yourself a proper cleaning. The floss should be twisted around two of your fingers, usually the middle ones. You should leave about an inch of floss between your fingers for adequate cleaning.
Invest in one of those small hand-held mirrors like your dentist uses in his office. It can help you to spot plaque and tarter build-up in places not accessible to the naked eye and can assist you when you've got something stuck in between teeth. You can also use it to inspect your mouth for anomalies that may indicate underlying health issues.
There are many different elements that can end up staining your teeth. Coffee, red wine and cigarettes are some of the most common culprits. If you just can not avoid these things, you can drink your coffee and wine through a straw so that it does not hit your teeth. It is also helpful to brush your teeth right after smoking.
Sugarless gum is a good way to clean your teeth if you cannot carry a toothbrush with you everywhere. Chew a piece of sugarless gum to clean your teeth after eating a small snack. Keep in mind that gum is not good for your teeth if it contains any kind of sugar.
Take your time when you brush. Brushing for a minute or less is not enough time to thoroughly clean your mouth. It is recommended that you brush for at least two minutes every time you brush, but three minutes is also fine. Anything over that is too long and can be counterproductive to your oral health.
As you can see, taking care of your mouth does require you spend some time and energy on it. Don't worry, your time and effort are well spent when you are taking care of your mouth. Use the tips shared in this article to assure your taking the best care of your teeth that you can.