Published On 20 Mar, 2023
Table of Contents
Oral health care is essential for all of us as we only have 32 permanent teeth in our mouths for one lifetime. If we lose or damage our teeth, we will not get new ones. There are different oral health care tips for adults. Therefore it is important to protect them and make them last our whole lives to lead a good quality life.
The first and foremost oral health care tip for adults is brushing. There is just no way around this. Brushing twice a day every day is extremely important. Even brushing three times a day might be necessary for some people if they consume more sugary foods. It does not take long to develop a cavity; the longer food debris stays on the surfaces of the teeth, the higher the chances of developing a cavity. A good rule to remember is to brush within 20 minutes of consuming a meal, especially if it is sugary. If you do not have access to a toothbrush, it is a good idea to drink water or rinse your mouth to flush out food debris and neutralize any acid buildup in the mouth.
Most people ignore flossing and think brushing is enough. While tooth brushing cleans the visible surfaces of the teeth, what about the walls of the teeth that are in between adjacent teeth? Since these are covered and difficult to access with a brush, it is important to clean these areas using a piece of dental floss. A piece of dental floss is a string that glides easily between two teeth and removes debris and food particles between them.
Our tongue has layers and layers of cells, and the top layer of our tongue is almost rough and scaly. This tends to harbor germs and bacteria, which can become quite smelly. So while you may have brushed your teeth well, you might still suffer from bad breath. It is important not to forget to brush your tongue from the top to the bottom of the tip.
It is important to remember that the most important function of teeth is to chew and break up food into smaller pieces so that it can be swallowed and digested. What you put in your mouth affects oral hygiene greatly. Eating crunchy and raw fruits and vegetables is excellent for maintaining a healthy set of teeth as they have a cleansing action. These include apples, carrots and pears, and more.
On the other hand, foods with processed sugars and softer and stickier foods tend to sit on the teeth and trigger bacterial activity, which progresses really quickly to develop into a cavity.
The most important oral health care tips for adults is visiting the doctor. Often we cannot look to the back of our mouth or certain areas to check for cavities and other dental problems. For this reason, it is highly recommended to visit a dentist once every six months. They can keep everything in check and maintain your dental records. Visiting the dentist every six months ensures that everything remains in check so that a tiny dental problem is caught and treated early before it becomes too big.
Professional cleaning is essential for maintaining gum health. Over time, food particles and bacteria build up to form plaque, a sticky yellow substance that settles along the gum margin of the teeth. If not removed, it can harden to become calculus, and it causes the gums to recede and become inflamed. This is a painful condition when left untreated; therefore, it is important to get professional gum cleaning done every six months.
Smoking destroys tiny capillaries, reducing oxygenated blood flow in the gums and reducing healing time. Smoking is not only bad for health in general, but it is also damaging to oral health. Nicotine leaves yellow stains on teeth and compromises your appearance. Therefore it is advised to quit smoking as early as possible.
Chewing on sugar-free gum helps to increase salivary flow, which is great for flushing the mouth and getting rid of bacteria and food debris. A dry environment in the mouth results in more acid production and decay action on the teeth.
You must change your toothbrush immediately if you notice that it is showing signs of wear. You must also always use a soft toothbrush with a small head so that it doesn’t damage your gums and can access all areas of your mouth.
It is good practice to keep checking your teeth every now and then. Examine your tongue, your inner cheeks, and your gums as well. Check for cavities, brown spots, redness, and swelling. If you notice something unusual, you must contact your dentist right away. It is better to catch a dental problem early before it accelerates.
If you have diabetes, a bleeding disorder, or any other illness, you must manage your health problems as they can worsen your oral health. It is generally recommended to manage
Crowded and misaligned teeth can be difficult to clean and can make it more difficult to maintain dental hygiene no matter how well you brush. In this situation, it is recommended to get orthodontic treatment and straighten the teeth.
Bacteria act on sugary foods and drinks to release lactic acid, which can cause the tooth surface to erode and create a cavity. Reducing sugary foods and drinks can decrease the risks of developing a cavity and helps maintain good oral hygiene.
As mentioned above, our permanent set of adult teeth are the only ones we’ve got, and we must look after them and preserve them. If these teeth become damaged, we aren’t getting new ones. Therefore it is important to follow the dental health care tips mentioned above to maintain our pearly whites. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Paul’s Dental Clinic to learn more about improving your oral health and go for regular checkups to maintain the health of your oral cavity.
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