Do you want strong, healthy teeth? Then it’s time to start taking care of them. Oral hygiene is vital for your dental health, and it’s important that you maintain a routine that keeps your mouth clean and free from bacteria. Here at Queanbeyan Dental, we have made it easier for you. In this guide, we’ll discuss proper oral hygiene routines as well as some helpful tips on how to keep your teeth in good shape long-term. You may be surprised at what you find!
Why should you care about your oral hygiene?
Oral health is just as much about prevention as it is about treatment. Oral hygiene can prevent tooth decay, gum disease and even oral cancer! Before we get into how to take care of your teeth, let’s first discuss why you should take care of them in the first place. Did you know that according to the Department of Health, gum disease is present in 22.9 per cent of the Australian population! By practising good oral hygiene habits at home, including brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing once a day, you can significantly reduce your risk of gum disease.
Oral hygiene is more than just brushing and flossing, however – it’s also about eating a healthy diet, limiting sugar intake (especially between meals) and avoiding tobacco products. Not only can unhealthily habits like these cause tooth decay or lead to oral cancer; they also raise your overall risk for heart disease, diabetes and other health problems. The good news? Making simple changes to how you eat today will help protect both your teeth AND the rest of your body in years to come!
Now that we know the importance of oral hygiene, let’s take a look at some tips on how to keep your teeth healthy for life.
- Brush your teeth twice a day (morning and night) with toothpaste and water. Brushing removes bacteria and plaque from your teeth, which can cause cavities or gum disease if left untreated.
- Floss once a day. Flossing helps remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth – areas where brushing alone cannot reach!
- Limit sugary foods and drinks. Oral bacteria thrive on sugar, so limiting these items in your diet will help reduce the number of bacteria present in your mouth. Try to eat sugary foods only during mealtimes (and brush afterwards!)
- Don’t use tobacco products. The acids and toxins in cigarette smoke can have a negative impact on both your oral health as well as the rest of your body. Oral cancer, gum disease and tooth decay are all linked to smoking!
As you can see, there is no reason why good oral hygiene practices cannot be incorporated into everyday life. With simple steps like brushing twice a day for two minutes (preferably after every meal) AND flossing once a day, it’s easy to keep up with proper dental care habits even when you’re busy or away from home! By making these small changes today, not only will you reduce your risk of developing serious conditions such as cavities or gum disease – but you’ll also be doing your part in maintaining good overall health for years to come.
Want To Improve Your Oral Hygiene Routine? Contact Queanbeyan Dental Today
At Queanbeyan Dental, we understand the importance of good oral hygiene and are here to help you achieve and maintain optimal dental health. We offer a wide range of family and cosmetic dentistry services, so no matter what your needs may be, we can help! Contact us today to book an appointment or to learn more about our services.
