Did you know that your oral health affects more than just your mouth? Poor oral health can play a role in cardiovascular disease, endocarditis, pneumonia, and even pregnancy. Good oral health means keeping your gums healthy and bacteria at bay and taking steps to prevent oral infections and tooth decay. With so much riding on good oral health, it makes sense that people take it seriously and do all they can to ensure their oral health is a priority.
Outside of brushing your teeth, what are some of the other steps you can take to better your oral health?
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6 Oral Health Care Hacks
Here are six oral health care hacks worth using.
1. Always Brush Your Teeth Before Bed
You surely already know that brushing your teeth is essential, but did you know that the time of day you brush also plays a role in your oral health? Brushing your teeth before bed ensures their arena isn’t plaque and germs sitting on your teeth all night long. You also want to be sure you’re brushing your teeth correctly and for a long enough period.
2. Choose Toothpaste that Contains Fluoride
When shopping for toothpaste, don’t worry about what’s new and trending or the fancy lingo and claims on the packaging; instead, look for a toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride(1) works to protect your teeth against decay, and it is also able to combat germs.
3. Start Using Mouthwash
It’sIt’s also an excellent habit of starting using mouthwash. Mouthwash works in its way to help clean the gums. It decreases the amount of acid in your mouth and depending on the type, and it can also help to whiten teeth and protect sensitive teeth.
Read: Home Remedies for Cavities
4. Combat Morning Dry Mouth
A common issue that people can have is waking up in the morning with a dry mouth. Chances are this is happening because you sleep with your mouth open, which could also mean you are snoring. Not only will this lead to a dry mouth, but it can affect the quality of your sleep.
These tips for preventing dry morning mouth can be handy and change the way you feel when you wake up and help improve your overall quality of sleep. Tips to avoid dry mouth include drinking more water and making sure you don’t go to bed dehydrated. You might also want to stop the habit of chewing sugarless gum, avoid any medication that may be causing dry mouth, and even use devices such as mouth tape that force you to become a nose breather instead.
5. Cut Back on the Sugary Foods and Drinks
You can do yourself a huge favor by cutting back on the sugary foods and drinks that are big culprits when it comes to tooth decay(2) and cavities. Don’t forget that doesn’t just mean junk food; even things like fruit and fruit juice are very high in sugar and won’t do your teeth any favors at all.
Read: Worst Foods for Teeth
6. Get Regular Cleanings at the Dentist
Even with all your best efforts to stay on top of your oral health, it’s still essential you visit the dentist regularly for a check-up and professional cleaning. It is recommended you get your teeth cleaned about once every six months. Visiting the dentist twice a year also means they can identify any potential areas of concern before they get too out of control.
Because your oral health plays such a large role in overall health and wellbeing, it needs to be prioritized. These steps can certainly help you to take control of your oral health and improve it substantially.
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