We all know of the importance and the basics of brushing and flossing. 

But what if there were some other simple tips to ensure you’re taking care of your mouth for optimal health? 

Read our 10 tips below for achieving a beautiful, healthy smile.

1. Brush

Brushing your teeth at least TWICE a day is key to a healthier smile!

Brushing properly helps remove buildup and plaque, which is caused by bacteria. In order to remove the majority of plaque, we recommend brushing for at least two minutes in the morning and night, at a minimum. 

Most people should also use a soft or medium brush so that the bristles can bend and reach the tight spots around your gums. 

2. Use Fluoride Toothpaste

Using fluoride toothpaste is another small way you can optimise taking care of your teeth! 

Fluoride helps prevent cavities by strengthening weak spots in the teeth and removing plaque. It also slows down tooth decay by adding a protective barrier to the teeth.

By using fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, you can keep your teeth and their enamel strong and happy.

3. Brush/ Scrape Your Tongue

When you brush your teeth, your tongue can often be forgotten. But did you know it’s just as important to brush your tongue, as it is to brush your teeth? 

This is because the plaque that builds up on your teeth, can also build up on your tongue. Not brushing your tongue can also lead to bad breath and other health problems.

Similar to brushing your tongue, using a tongue scraper is also a simple solution to bad breath and a cleaner mouth! 

Tongue scrapers are gentle tools used to scrape out the “bad breath” bacteria by reaching the back and sides of your tongue. Start cleaning at the back and work your way forward, repeating as necessary. 

When you’re finished, remember to rinse out your mouth, as well as the tongue scraper to remove any lingering bacteria.

4. Floss Your Teeth

Flossing is a no brainer when it comes to a daily mouth health routine, but why are we so reluctant to do it?

Flossing is just as important as brushing and is a step that shouldn’t be ignored. Gently guide floss in between your teeth and move back and forth in a see-saw motion to clear away any debris and food particles. 

Another tip is that flossing should be done before brushing. This is necessary because when you brush, you may be pushing bacteria into your gums without realising, which can cause gum disease. 

To make sure you’re brushing and flossing correctly, book an appointment for a tooth cleaning instruction. 

5. Change Your Toothbrush Regularly

Overtime, the bristles in your toothbrush become worn out and are less effective at cleaning your teeth. That’s why it’s important to buy a new toothbrush at least every three months. 

Unfortunately, sometimes it can be easy to forget about when you last bought a new toothbrush. 

Our tip is to set a reminder in your phone so that every three months it can notify you saying it’s time to switch things up! 

6. Drink Water

Water is the safest bet when it comes to drinking liquids that won’t harm your teeth. 

Drinks that contain a lot of acid, such as fizzy drinks and energy drinks aren’t great for your teeth as the acid they are exposed to can erode sensitive tooth enamel, which overtime can lead to many problems in the future. 

If you are drinking beverages that are high in sugar, the best thing to do is to rinse your mouth out afterwards. That way you can help wash away some of the sugar and acidity so it causes as little harm as possible to your teeth. 

7. Limit Your Sugar Intake 

Limiting your sugar intake is not only beneficial for your waistline, but also your mouth! 

Foods with high amounts of sugar can cling and get stuck in the tight spots between your teeth. This can cause tooth decay, leading to cavities and more problems over time.

Eating a balanced, healthy diet is a simple lifestyle tip that can keep both your body and mouth happy and healthy! 

8. Quit Smoking

Smoking is not only bad for your lungs, but also stains your teeth, causes bad breath, and can lead to gum disease. 

In extreme cases, smoking can also lead to oral cancer and smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancers than non-smokers! 

If you’re a smoker, it’s absolutely essential to follow all of the other tips on this list as a minimum. You may also want to consider cutting back on cigarettes or quitting smoking completely. 

9. Only Use Your Teeth To Chew Food

Do not use your teeth for anything other than chewing food! 

This means avoiding opening bottles with your teeth or opening packaging.

Activities such as these, lead to a high risk for chipping or even breaking your teeth. This is not only painful for your mouth, but also painful for your wallet as this can easily be avoided. 

The next time you’re ready to open a bottle, grab a bottle opener and not your mouth. 

10. Visit the Dentist Regularly

It’s important to regularly visit the dentist even if you’re brushing, flossing and taking good care of your teeth daily.

Your dentist will be able to thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to ensure that there are no problems, as well as see if you’re brushing properly.

A check-up at least once every 6 months is good to keep on top of your mouth health, preventing any future issues. 

If you’re a patient who currently can’t visit their dentist, contact us because we are accepting new patients! All new patients will receive a FREE 15 minute video or phone call for a consultation to discuss treatment options.

Phone or Email us today. 

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