Oral Hygiene and Health

The health of your mouth often mirrors the condition of your body as a whole. Taking care of your oral health can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease, as well as help you keep your teeth as you get older. Practice good oral hygiene by following these 10 tips:

1. Brush teeth twice a day. Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time with a soft-bristled brush to help prevent gum disease and cavities.
2. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride. The American Dental Association recommends that children and adults use fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities by making teeth more resistant to the acids that can cause cavities.
3. Floss daily. Floss daily to help remove plaque from the areas between your teeth where the toothbrush can't reach. This is important because plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing can eventually harden into calculus or tartar.
4. Replace your toothbrush. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed. It is also important to change toothbrushes after you've had a cold, the flu, a mouth infection or a sore throat because germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and lead to reinfection.
5. Don’t smoke or use smokeless tobacco. Tobacco stains teeth and significantly increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Quitting is the only way to decrease your risk of these and other tobacco-related health problems.
6. Limit sugary foods. Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. To control the amount of sugar you eat, read the nutrition facts and ingredient labels on foods and beverages and choose options that are the lowest in sugar.
7. Eat a balanced diet. Your mouth is your body’s initial point of contact with the nutrients you consume. So naturally, a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy foods and lean proteins is essential to healthy teeth and gums.
8. Schedule regular visits to the dentist. Most experts recommend a dental checkup every six months. During a routine exam, your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque buildup that you can’t brush or floss away and looks for signs of gum disease and tooth decay and early signs of oral cancer.
9. Keep removable mouthpieces clean. Like your teeth, dentures should be brushed daily to remove food particles and plaque. Don’t forget to regularly clean retainers, mouth guards and other removable mouthpieces by brushing and soaking them in a specially formulated cleaner.
10. Fight bad breath. One major cause of bad breath is the buildup of bacteria on the tongue. Use a tongue scraper or your toothbrush to remove tongue plaque.  

Oral Health Calendar

February

• National Children’s Dental Health Month (American Dental Association)
• Give Kids a Smile Day (American Dental Association)

October

• National Dental Hygiene Month (American Dental Association)

For More Resources on Oral Health, Please Visit:

• American Dental Association