Not everyone gives much thought to their oral hygiene. However, it is important to know that a person can create a lasting first impression with a beautiful smile, and a beautiful smile can only be achieved with healthy teeth and gums.

Learn how you can build simple habits to improve and maintain your oral hygiene and get a beautiful smile.

Here are seven tips for maintaining your pearly whites:

1. Regular Dental Check-ups

The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends a bi-annual check-up with a dentist to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Regular dental check-ups can catch dental issues early and save you from the inconvenience of undergoing painful and lengthy dental procedures. Moreover, treating a dental problem at an early stage will be much cheaper than getting it treated at an advanced scene. Hence, a visit every six months to your dentist can prove beneficial for your teeth and gums as well as your pocket.

2. Adopt the Floss First, Then Brush Approach

A lot of people first brush their teeth and then floss. This isn’t the right way to take care of your oral health. It is recommended by dentists to floss first to remove any food debris or bacteria hiding or plague in between your teeth. Once this is done, brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste will clean your tooth structure more effectively. The space between the teeth is usually where the tooth decay occurs and, once this is cleaned by flossing, brushing can cause the toothpaste to reach it and allow the fluoride to strengthen it.

3. Follow the Right Technique to Brush Your Teeth

A lot of people are confused about choosing the right toothbrush for their daily brushing routine. Some feel an electric brush is better, while some prefer a manual one. No matter what type of brush you use to clean your teeth, you need to follow the proper technique to clean your mouth thoroughly. Plaque stays hidden in the corners of your mouth and in between teeth. If you are not reaching into to these spaces while brushing your teeth, you are making a mistake. The angle of your brush should be such that it reaches these areas efficiently and removes the plaque effectively.

Another thing that matters a lot is the duration for which you brush your teeth. Just running the brush all over your teeth twice or thrice isn’t enough. It will help if you brush your teeth for at least a minute to give your mouth a thorough cleaning experience. Moreover, it is essential to choose a brush with soft bristles to avoid damaging your teeth. Plaque can easily be removed with a toothbrush with soft bristles. However, if your soft-bristle toothbrush isn’t able to do so, this means the plague has got hard as it has been there for a while. This indicates a need for you to see your dentist for a thorough cleaning session.

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4. Replace Your Missing Tooth As Soon As Possible

A beautiful smile isn’t possible with a missing tooth. Hence, it is recommended to have any missing teeth replaced as soon as possible, especially if they are at the front. There are many ways to replace a missing tooth in a manner so that no one notices. You could opt for solutions like dental bridges, dental implants or dentures, depending on the condition of your mouth. If you have lost your tooth recently, it is best to see your dentist as early as possible to identify an appropriate solution.

5. Pay Attention to Sleep Disorders

Not many people are aware that habits like snoring or teeth grinding can impact your oral health. It is believed that such habits can be a cause of stress or a long-term symptom of an underlying sleep disorder that can affect your health in many manners. If you suffer from snoring or teeth grinding, it is recommended to discuss this with your dentist to guide you in the right direction.

6. Protect Your Teeth with Mouthguards While Playing Sports

Just like you would wear a helmet to protect your head from injuries while playing a sport, you must wear a mouthguard to safeguard your teeth as well. It is a wise decision to invest in a custom-made mouthguard if you are regularly involved in some high-risk sports or games. If you play a game occasionally, you can buy the boil and bite mouthguards available at the chemist as these are ideal for short-term use. However, it is essential to know that the customised mouthguards offer a better fit and protection than the standards ones available in the market.

7. Don’t Adopt the Habit of Brushing Your Teeth After Every Meal

A lot of people believe that it is crucial to brush their teeth immediately after eating a meal. However, this isn’t required. Many dentists believe that brushing your teeth within the first half an hour after eating can cause more harm than good. If you have eaten intrinsically acidic foods, like citrus fruits for example, the pH of your mouth will drop and this weakens the surface minerals of your teeth. Immediate brushing at this point can cause the tooth structure to wear out due to the aggravation caused by brushing. It is recommended to brush after a while to allow your saliva to rebalance the pH in your mouth. You may also consider drinking water to balance out the acidity levels in your mouth.

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Following these simple tips can help maintain the condition of your teeth and give you the confidence to smile freely when in public. Remember that a confident smile can make you look more beautiful and help in creating a lasting impression on the people you meet. In addition, a person who smiles often is associated with having positive qualities, and this can serve as a medium for you to succeed in your professional life. If you have any concerns relating to your teeth or gums, you should visit a trustworthy dentist.

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