How important to you is your oral care? Poor oral health has been linked to an increased risk of illnesses, infections, low self-esteem, and confidence issues, as well as putting people at risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, diabetes, and even dementia. With over 90% of Americans having at least one cavity in their permanent teeth, improving oral care and dental routines is something everyone should prioritize.
If you want to improve your overall health and wellness, focusing on your oral care routine can be a great place to start. This post looks at some ways you can do just that.
Drink more water
Water is the holy grail of drinks, and being properly hydrated with H2O can have many benefits. One of them is allowing any debris or residue to be rinsed from our mouth or adding anything else into the area. This supports your brushing and flossing routine and allows your body to work as it needs to and function correctly, thanks to you hydrating it properly. It also helps you to cut down on the number of sugary drinks you have, thus reducing the amount of sugar that can impact the health of your teeth.
Stop smoking
Everyone knows how bad smoking is for you. However, it can lead to increased gum diseases, bad breath, and yellowing of the teeth. Not only this, it puts you at higher risk of losing teeth, tooth root decay, and certain cancers too. If you are serious about improving the health of your mouth, then stopping smoking should be something you should make a priority.
Visit the dentist
How often do you visit the dentist? Did you know that preventative healthcare is cheaper than emergency dentistry? And it is more likely to be covered under your health insurance too? Your dentist can alert you of any issues and advise you on how to rectify them and how to avoid health complications going forward by identifying possible concerns for the future. This is the ideal way to help you perfect your dental care routine and get a better idea of the health of your mouth. Plus, you find out if you need cosmetic dentistry services such as braces for tooth misalignment, dental implants for missing teeth, teeth whitening, and more.
Brush before bed
One in ten Americans doesn’t brush their teeth before going to bed. While life might get in the way of you sticking to a good nighttime dental routine every now and again, neglecting to brush your teeth and clean your mouth before going to sleep allows any contaminants in your mouth to cause damage to the enamel on your teeth until you brush in the morning.
Try to remember to brush your teeth and floss before bed every night. It can also be a good idea to set a reminder to do so to make it part of your bedtime routine. Get the best products you can buy, too, such as an electric toothbrush or a water flosser. If you don’t like string floss or interdental brushes, use fluoride toothpaste. Avoid using mouthwash directly after brushing, as this will wash away the remaining toothpaste and undo the work of the fluoride from brushing.
Conclusion
It is the small habits you put into place that will help you to improve your oral health. If you want to enhance the look and feel of your mouth and reduce the number of dental treatments and health issues, pay attention to how you treat your mouth for improved dental health.