Around 46% of American adults show signs of gum disease, and 9% of these cases are severe.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is key to keeping our teeth healthy, reducing the risk of disease, and feeling confident. There’s no harm in booking an appointment to polish your teeth with the dentist in Chesapeake. Perhaps you’re looking for dental care at home inspiration because your teeth don’t feel the best.

Sounds like you? Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Here are our 7 dental care at home tips to help you.

1. Floss and Brush Daily

If you’re unsure how to prevent gum disease, start by brushing twice a day and flossing.

Choose a soft-bristled brush and tilt it at a 45-degree angle so it’s against the gumline. Note you should change your toothbrush every two to three months so the bristles are still intact and not frayed.

To brush effectively, make small circular motions to improve your coverage and so it doesn’t press hard on sensitive gums. You should also start brushing at the back so you give it the full attention that you deserve. Once you get into this habit, follow the same method so you don’t miss any places.

Make sure you cover every section of your mouth so the top, front, and back of every tooth are clean. You must also brush your teeth four minutes a day so pop on a timer or your favorite song so you’re not rushing. It’s wise to get an electric toothbrush as the vibration loosens plaque and shuts down when you’re finished.

Note there are no disadvantages of using fluoride as it plays an important role in preventing cavities, so buy toothpaste with it. You should also keep your toothbrush clean by rinsing the bristles in warm water so no food particles are remaining.

Further, you shouldn’t cover your toothbrush or keep it in a closed container. This is because bacteria may breed in a dark, warm place which is harmful if you brush with it.

2. Use Mouthwash

Once you’ve found the safest toothpaste to use, add mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine. Rinsing your mouth is an effective way to control the bacteria that occurs in your mouth so it’s clean and healthy.

And don’t forget to clean your tongue as plaque builds up and creates a while film. Use a tongue scraper or a toothbrush twice a day.

Also, if you want to reverse receding gums naturally, then consider using peppermint or spearmint oils to begin the process.

3. Limit Sugary Food and Drink

One of our top natural dental care at home tips is to forgo sugary food and drinks. This is because sugar converts into acid when it’s in your mouth and erodes your teeth’ enamel. As a result, you get cavities.

Another way to prevent oral problems is by visiting the dentist twice a year. Your dentist will deep-clean your teeth, remove any plaque buildup, and they can spot potential issues and offer treatment.

4. Eat Crunchy Fruit and Veggies

Crunchy fruit and veggies keep our mouths healthy and our jaws strong. Plus, the nutrition in fresh produce also improves your overall health as it gives you the necessary vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy.

So load up on carrots, broccoli, and apples to improve your dental care at home.

5. Wait Before You Brush

You should also avoid brushing your teeth straight after consuming acidic or sugary food. If you do, you’re spreading these harmful substances onto your teeth. Note that your enamel would’ve weakened because of these substances, so doing this will further irritate and weaken it.

Instead, wait at least 30 minutes so your mouth can naturally remove any acidity and your enamel can harden.

6. Drink More Water

Many of us replace water by drinking soda, coffee, tea, and juices. Although these taste great, they can affect our smile by discoloring and damaging our dental enamel.

Because of this, we must drink water throughout the day, especially with meals. Water rinses away food debris caught in between your teeth while keeping you hydrated. Plus, water doesn’t stain your teeth and has no negative side effects.

You should also drink water after every meal to reduce the negative effects of the acidic foods or drinks you’ve consumed. And as a general rule, drink at least eight cups of water a day.

Or, if you don’t have water nearby, chew sugar-free gum as it stimulates saliva production which helps clean your teeth.

7. Ditch the Tobacco and Booze

If you smoke, try and quit because it wreaks havoc on your teeth. Smoking tobacco also causes bad breath and can lead to serious health conditions like oral cancer and gum disease.

You should also limit alcohol intake as it’s filled with sugar especially mixed with soda. Plus, booze dehydrates you and causes dry mouth so you may develop bad breath. Note that when your body can’t produce saliva, then it’s harder to break down food so debris may accumulate. This means you’re at risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Those Are Our Dental Care at Home Tips

Hopefully, after reading this article, you can use these dental care at home tips to improve your health.

It’s important to brush and floss daily, rinse with mouthwash, and drink plenty of water. You should also limit the number of sugary beverages and alcohol you consume and load up on crunchy veggies. And if you’re still struggling, schedule an appointment with your dentist so they can guide you in the right direction. Good luck!

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