In this article, we discuss the top 10 daily habits for a healthy smile and effective oral health prevention.

Top 10 Daily Habits for a Healthy Smile

Brush Your Teeth Correctly

The most effective way to prevent cavities and gum disease is to brush your teeth for 2 full minutes, twice a day. We recommend brushing after breakfast and before bed. Make sure to brush thoroughly in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, as well as the back, front, and chewing surfaces of the teeth. Also, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle when brushing along the gumline and use small, gentle, circular motions.

Choose the Right Oral Hygiene Products

Dentists recommend choosing non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste for your daily oral hygiene. Fluoride has been proven to remineralize and strengthen the enamel, making it more resilient to cavities. Avoid toothpaste containing soda, charcoal, or whitening ingredients.

Also, we recommend avoiding over-the-counter whitening solutions or strips, as they can cause irreversible damage to your tooth enamel.

Opt for a high-quality toothbrush that is effective at removing plaque but not too hard, as this can irritate or harm your gums when you brush along the gumline.

Floss Every Evening

We recommend flossing your teeth every evening before brushing. This way, you can dislodge and remove the majority of food residue and some plaque from the teeth, making brushing with fluoride toothpaste more effective. When flossing, be careful not to push the thread too far into the gums to prevent bleeding and irritation. If traditional flossing is challenging for you, try additional tools, such as floss picks or floss threaders.

Add a Water Flosser to Your Routine

Water flossers have been proven effective at improving oral hygiene and reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease by cleaning hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, between teeth, and along the gum line. However, a water flosser is effective only if used in addition to traditional flossing and brushing, preferably in the evening as the first step in your routine.

Clean Your Tongue

Throughout the day, plaque, food residue, and bacteria accumulate not only on your teeth but also on the tongue. You can use the same toothbrush you use for your teeth to gently clean your tongue as part of your evening oral hygiene routine.

Adjust Your Diet

Avoid sugary and acidic foods, as they promote bacterial growth in the mouth and weaken tooth enamel, leading to cavities and gum disease. Instead, make sure to include foods rich in Calcium, Phosphorus, and vitamins D, C, and A.

Rinse Your Mouth After Meals

Rinsing your mouth with water after meals helps wash away food particles, sugars, and acids that can damage enamel if they linger on your teeth.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water throughout the day prevents dry mouth and washes bacteria away from your teeth, reducing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

Avoid Frequent Snacking

Every time you snack between meals, bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and produce acids that attack and weaken your tooth enamel.

Abstain from Smoking

Apart from generally being an unhealthy habit, smoking is one of the leading causes of gum disease and also contributes to teeth staining and discoloration.

Make an Appointment at Valley Alder

Do not hesitate to schedule a checkup and a professional cleaning with an experienced dentist at Valley Alder. At our dental office, we use a wide range of diagnostic methods and preventive and therapeutic procedures to ensure our clients’ oral health. We are looking forward to your visit.