Your oral health is extremely important. After all, a happy mouth is a happy body too. Your mouth is a key entry point for nasty germs and bacteria to get into the rest of your body. So, your mouth needs to be looked after too, like you would your physical and mental health.  

Why is oral health important?  

As stated before, your mouth is an entry point for bacteria. If you don’t take good care of your teeth and gums, then you are at a higher risk of becoming ill with serious oral health conditions. Diseases such as gingivitis, tooth decay and periodontal disease can ruin the state of your mouth.

There are some predisposing conditions that someone may suffer from, which puts them at a higher risk of having poor oral hygiene. For example, those on immunosuppression medication may suffer from a dry mouth and lack of saliva production, which is a problem as saliva is essential in keeping germs at bay.

How to improve the health of your teeth and gums

Sometimes it can be difficult to know what or what not to do when it comes to looking after your oral health. So we’ve created this handy list to check that you’re doing all the right things to take the best care possible of your teeth. 

Brush your teeth using the correct method

You should be brushing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time. Some electric toothbrushes tend to be more effective in cleaning your teeth than a manual brush, so it’s definitely worth investing your money in a good toothbrush. Electric brushes are also great for individuals who struggle to brush their teeth or forget to regularly. A soft toothbrush will work best to remove any plaque or leftover food particles from the surface, and from between your teeth.

To brush your teeth properly and ensure healthy teeth, split your mouth into four quarters and spend thirty seconds on each quarter, focusing on brushing the front, back, and in between the teeth.         

Use a fluoride toothpaste

Not all toothpaste brands are the same, some don’t contain fluoride. However, fluoride is a key ingredient in your toothpaste, as it helps strengthen your tooth enamel. 

Flossing is crucial

Flossing is another important step in your dental routine, as it reduces the likelihood of cavities forming between your teeth. The other benefits of flossing include; reducing bad breath and getting rid of any plaque which may be otherwise sitting on your teeth or under your gum line. 

If flossing isn’t already a feature of your dental routine, then aim to floss once a day at a minimum, ideally, you would floss twice a day. It’s a good idea to floss before you brush your teeth because flossing loosens any food debris, and then brushing gets rid of any plaque which may have built up because of this. 

Don’t forget about mouthwash

There are actually many benefits to using mouthwash too. The one that most people assume is that using mouthwash will freshen your breath and make it smell minty. Mouthwash kills any bacteria which may be lingering in your mouth and causing any bad breath (halitosis). Also, like brushing and flossing, mouthwash removes any food particles or plaque which is stuck between your teeth. You can use mouthwash after you brush your teeth, but make sure not to rinse your mouth out with water afterwards as this gets rid of any of the benefits of your mouthwash. 

Live a healthier lifestyle

Your oral health can tell you a lot about both your overall health and lifestyle. When a dentist looks into your mouth to examine it, they’re looking into a window on your general health. 

Sugary food and drinks can cause tooth decay because when you eat or drink those types of food, the acid that is made to break it down also attacks the surface of your teeth too. We’re not saying never eat sweets or cake again, instead try making healthy swaps, so change a chocolate bar for a piece of fruit. 

Other lifestyle swaps you can make include cutting out any teeth-staining drinks. Coffee and red wine are the culprits for this one, as they can easily discolour teeth with regular consumption. However, if you don’t want to sacrifice your caffeine, then try drinking your coffee with a straw to limit the amount of contact it has with the surface of your teeth. It will save you money on teeth whitening in the long run. 

Visit a dentist regularly 

A dentist is there to help and advise you on what’s best for your teeth. So, you should be visiting them two times a year. Your dentist will monitor and detect any problems, as well as completing an examination of your mouth and a clean too. The dentist can catch issues like gum disease before you feel any symptoms at all. 

Dentist appointments should not just be scheduled when you feel pain because this may mean that any problems have got more serious. 

Ask for advice from an expert

There is a breadth of advice available on the internet, and it may be difficult to tell fact from fiction. So, be careful as to what advice you decide to take. It’s always best to consult your dentist first if you’re unsure about anything. 

The consequences of bad oral health

Poor oral hygiene can lead to serious problems which go further than just the mouth. If germs enter the mouth, they can easily enter your bloodstream and continue into the rest of your body. Your mouth has a significant influence on the health of your entire body, and that’s why it’s important to improve it. 

The consequences of bad oral health include heart disease, dementia and respiratory infections, all from inhaling bacteria from the infections you may have in your mouth. It can be dangerous to neglect your teeth, so make sure you don’t.  

Make sure that you’re prioritising preventative care for your teeth

There are three key steps you should be taking to ensure the health of your teeth. Those are; brushing, flossing and using mouthwash. They’re really simple steps that work as preventative measures for keeping your oral health in top condition. By putting in the work now with your routine, you’re helping future-you to avoid any issues like gum disease or bad breath. Improving your oral health is so easy, and can begin at home. After reading this list you’re still unsure as to what is best for your teeth, speak to a dentist, and they will be in the best position to advise you.