How to Improve Your Dental Hygiene With Natural Remedies and Practices
Brushing and flossing are the foundation of good oral hygiene, but it doesn’t end there.
Maintain optimal oral health and a beautiful smile with natural remedies and practices. These tips can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy, so you’ll want to show off that beautiful smile!
1. Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
Brushing your teeth twice a day is an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene, helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Furthermore, it reduces bad breath and enhances overall oral health.
The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests brushing your teeth at least twice daily for two minutes each time, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride. They also advise flossing regularly to remove food particles from between your teeth and gums which could contribute to plaque buildup and tooth decay.
When brushing your teeth, there are several products you can choose from; electric and battery-operated toothbrushes have been proven more efficient at removing plaque than manual toothbrushes. Flossing also plays a significant role as it removes debris that brushes cannot reach.
Chewing sugar-free gum can also help combat bacteria and stimulate saliva production, which contains essential minerals for teeth repair and health. However, always check the ingredients list on your gums to make sure they are safe for you and don’t contain any hazardous chemicals.
Oil pulling is an ancient practice of swishing oil into your mouth to remove plaque and bacteria. Coconut oil in particular has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that can help keep your mouth healthy. Tea tree oil is another useful natural remedy that fights bacteria and plaque buildup. You can mix a drop of tea tree oil with regular toothpaste to make applying it easier on your teeth.
2. Floss Daily
A dirty mouth can make you feel unwell and lead to various health complications, particularly if you have respiratory diseases like asthma, emphysema or pneumonia.
Due to bacteria that can travel through your lungs and into your throat, flossing daily helps avoid this from happening by getting rid of all harmful germs that could enter through your gums and mouth.
Flushing with flossing not only prevents gum disease, a serious health issue that affects the gums and can lead to tooth loss, but it can also prevent periodontal disease – an infection of the teeth that affects over 70% of Americans. Regular flossing removes plaque from these areas, decreasing the likelihood of gum disease and helping your gums reattach themselves to your teeth.
Flossing can also reduce bad breath, which is caused by food debris accumulation around your teeth and gum line. By clearing away these particles, you keep your mouth healthy and your breath smelling more pleasant than ever before.
Make flossing a habit of at least once daily to prevent tartar (also known as calculus) buildup. After 24 hours, plaque hardens into tartar that must be removed through professional cleaning services.
Furthermore, flossing can reduce your risk for developing heart conditions. Bacteria that accumulates in your mouth can enter blood vessels and clot or inflame important veins and arteries, increasing the likelihood of stroke or heart attack.
To protect your teeth and gums, the most effective method of oral hygiene is combining daily brushing, flossing, mouthwash and oral irrigators with supplemental tools like interdental cleaners. Additionally, stay hydrated by visiting your dentist at least twice annually for a dental exam.
3. Rinse Your Mouth After Every Meal
Rinsing your mouth with water or a mouthwash after every meal can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. This practice is essential since after eating, bacteria from your food enters your mouth that attack sugars and starches that remain undisturbed. Left unchecked, these microbes could lead to cavities or gum disease if not addressed promptly.
According to a study published in the Journal of Dental Research, rinsing with green tea extract can improve your teeth and gums. This tea’s antimicrobial properties help regulate bacteria in your mouth while starchy foods such as crackers or cake are less likely to lead to tooth decay.
Another efficient remedy for brushing your teeth and reducing plaque is using neem twigs. This plant, native to India, has been used for centuries as a natural solution in oral healthcare and hygiene practices.
Neem twigs or chewing on leaves and seeds can help kill harmful bacteria, reduce bleeding and swollen gums, improve oral hygiene and health, as well as help with whitening teeth and fighting bad breath.
Oil pulling, also known as oil swishing or oil pulling, has long been used to promote oral health by killing germs and toxins in your mouth. You can do this with coconut oil, sesame oil or a mixture of both and swish around for 20 minutes in your mouth; make sure you spit out all excess oil so toxins do not re-absorb into your mouth.
In addition to brushing your mouth after every meal, try eating a nutritious diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Produce is packed with essential nutrients that promote good dental health – like vitamins A, C, D and K2, known to strengthen teeth; plus they supply necessary minerals needed for strong gums and teeth.
4. Avoid Tobacco
Smokers are at greater risk for many diseases and health issues than non-smokers, but one area that’s often overlooked is the effects of tobacco on the mouth. Studies have estimated that smokers have twice the likelihood of contracting mouth infections than non-smokers do.
But there are ways you can minimize the harm smoking does to your teeth and gums. For starters, there are some natural remedies and practices you can use to maintain excellent oral hygiene.
Hydrogen peroxide-containing mouthwashes can help fight bacteria and whiten your teeth. Be sure to swish the product around in your mouth for at least one full minute, then rinse thoroughly with water.
Regular dental cleanings can help remove stains and keep your teeth looking bright. A professional cleaning also allows the dentist to see any areas that might be difficult to reach with brushing or flossing alone.
Additionally, it’s wise to avoid foods that cause staining and erosion on your teeth such as coffee, sodas, and acidic food. In lieu of these unhealthy options, opt for nutritious meals that are high in calcium, protein, and fiber.
Finally, quitting tobacco can improve both your oral and general health, with positive effects on the body. Smoking causes gum irritation, reduces blood flow to your gums, which in turn leads to bleeding gums and increased infection risks.
Smoking is a major risk factor for mouth cancer, making quitting an absolute necessity. Studies have demonstrated that abstaining from tobacco significantly reduces the chance of developing this condition.
5. See Your Dentist Regularly
Regular visits to your dentist are one of the most crucial steps you can take for improving your oral hygiene. They are trained professionals, capable of spotting issues and conditions you might not notice on your own.
Dentists are trained to detect issues before they become serious, and in many cases, can prevent them from happening altogether. This reduces your likelihood of needing future visits to the dentist, saving both money and stress.
Another major advantage of visiting your dentist regularly is that they can offer tips and advice that can improve the state of your oral health. This includes helping you make changes to your diet, improve oral hygiene habits and avoid smoking or using any harmful substances which could damage teeth and gums.
Though you may not realize it, your dental health has an immense effect on other parts of your body. Poor oral health can cause problems with the heart, kidneys and more that could prove deadly if left untreated.
An unattractive smile can have a detrimental effect on your emotions, confidence and level of happiness. How you perceive yourself and how others view you are all factors to consider when trying to find solutions for dental health.
At regular check-ups, dentists will inspect your mouth and gums for signs of oral cancer or head-neck cancer. If any abnormalities are found, they will inform you and refer you to a suitable medical professional for further diagnosis and treatment.
Visiting your dentist regularly is essential to maintaining a beautiful and healthy smile for years to come. Additionally, it can help prevent various serious dental issues like tooth decay or gum disease.