02 Jun Top Tips for Dental Hygiene and a Healthy Mouth

Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

There are many easy precautions that individuals can take to mitigate the potential for dental disease, maintain good oral hygiene, and ensure a healthy mouth. Optimally, individuals should be taught to care for their teeth as children, but it’s never too late to begin a healthy routine.

Check out our top tips for maintaining oral health:

1. Brush at least twice a day after meals. Be sure and brush before bedtime.
2. Thoroughly brush all teeth – it should take 2-3 minutes. Not brushing properly is almost as bad as not brushing at all. Use a gentle, circular motion.
3. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Tooth brushing shouldn’t be painful or rough.
4. Don’t forget to gently brush the tongue every time teeth are cleaned. Plaque can grow on the tongue as well as teeth, leading to bad breath and dental problems.
5. Use a toothpaste with fluoride to maintain tooth hardness that will aid in preventing decay. Fluoride is a far more important ingredient to create a barrier against tooth decay than whitening agents or fruity flavours.
6. Floss daily, using a slow and gentle sawing motion between each tooth. It removes bits of food that a toothbrush can’t reach, reduces plaque, stimulates the gums, and aids in reducing any inflammation.
7. Use a mouthwash to reduce acid in the mouth, re-mineralise teeth, and reach places that may be difficult for flossing.
8. Limit sugary foods and beverages as sugar contributes to the growth of bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
9. Don’t use teeth for anything but chewing. Using teeth to rip open packages, crunch ice, cut string, remove bottle tops, or crack nuts can lead to a chipped or broken tooth.
10. Always use a mouthguard or full-face helmet when engaged in sports activities.
11. If a tooth is knocked out, try to hold it in place and seek immediate advice from the dentist. If that can’t be done, save the tooth, wrap it in plastic or place it in some milk until arriving at the dentist clinic.
12. See the dentist every six months for a cleaning to prevent tooth and gum disease and receive an examination by the dentist to identify any areas of potential risk.

Book A Dental Check Up Now

At Boorondara Family Dentist in Balwyn North we believe that you should visit your local dentist twice a year, although if you are prone to gum disease more frequent dental visits might be required. At Boorondara Family Dentist we believe that prevention is always better than a cure and try to teach our patients to follow healthy oral habits.

Boroondara Family Dentist was established in the 70’s, and we’ve been treating patients in Balwyn North, Ivanhoe, Kew, Doncaster, Templestowe, Bulleen, Balwyn, Templestowe Lower, Kew East, Mont Albert and the surrounding suburbs for over 40 years.

Please call 03 9857 7886 or BOOK ONLINE!