How to Develop Healthy Dental Hygiene Habits

When it comes to developing healthy habits, the earlier that you start in life the easier it will be. Starting a healthy habit at a young age makes it much easier to maintain the habit throughout life. Healthy oral hygiene habits such as flossing and brushing regularly are best to start when a person is young. Children should establish a dental routine at a young age with the help of their parents. Parents should stress the importance of maintaining a healthy mouth in a way that is positive. If parents are not cautious about how they portray oral hygiene to their children it may lead to a lifetime of bad oral habits.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy mouth, there are several steps that should be taken. Here are some tips for developing good oral hygiene habits to maintain a healthy mouth, which is important for your health overall.

Brushing

When it comes to brushing, many people do not realize that there is a proper brushing technique that should be used. If you are unsure as to whether or not you are brushing your teeth the proper way, you should ask your dentist to demonstrate the proper tooth brushing method.

In order to properly brush your teeth you will want to hold the brush at a 45 degree angle towards the gums. Use short strokes to gently move the toothbrush back and forth. Make sure that you are brushing both the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth. It is also important to make sure that you brush the chewing surfaces of each tooth. Make sure that you also brush your tongue to get rid of any bacteria that is residing there. You should brush your teeth at least twice each day using this method as this is the first step in developing healthy dental hygiene.

Flossing

Most people tend to ignore their dentist and their hygienist when it comes to flossing. However, flossing is just as important as brushing and is something that everyone should make sure that they are doing at least once each day. Use roughly 18 inches of floss so that you can use a new area of floss every few teeth. The floss should be wrapped around each tooth and then moved gently up and down. Adding flossing to your daily oral care routine is important for the overall health of your mouth.

Mouthwash

In addition to your daily brushing and flossing it is a good idea to use some mouthwash. This can help to increase the cleanliness of the mouth. A good mouth rinse will help to reduce plaque and bacteria. Rinses that contain fluoride can help to prevent tooth decay.

Regular Dental Check Ups

One of the most important dental hygiene habits that you can develop is to make sure that you are going for regular dental checkups. Seeing your dentist at least twice a year is important for the overall health of your mouth. During these checkups your dental hygienist will clean your teeth and the dentist will check your teeth to make sure that there are no issues such as cavities or decay.

Additional Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Health

In addition to brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly there are a few other things that you can do in order to maintain good oral health. Some of these include avoiding sugary drinks and drinking plenty of water, especially with meals. If you do choose a sugary drink, use a straw as this can help to keep it off of the teeth.

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Melissa Bell

Melissa Bell has a strong background in nutrition education, fitness and yoga, and experience working on specialized stretching, bodybuilding and weight loss programs. She is actively studying Japanese, doing research and travelling for conferences while taking care of two children.