It’s very important to take care of your oral health, so that you can maintain a fresh breath and healthy smile.

There are many people who do not realise that maintaining good oral care does not include only brushing and a swish of mouthwash.

Maintaining good oral care is much more complex than that.

There are many things you can be doing to maintain a healthy smile, and we will cover some of the top tips for it.

Tips for a healthy smile, include:

Brushing twice and flossing daily:

The foremost important daily routine is brushing and flossing to keep healthy teeth and gums by cleaning away plaque and other harmful bacteria. Both brushing and flossing are good prevention methods for gum disease too.

It is recommended to change your toothbrush every three months and to use fluoride toothpastes, to help strengthen enamel.

As for flossing, this can be done using traditional floss or interdental brushes.

Get a good toothbrush:

For manual toothbrushes, we recommend a soft bristled brush as they are gentler on your teeth and gums and can remove plaque just as well.

Medium and hard bristled toothbrushes can cause damage to your enamel and cause your gums to recede without cleaning any better.

The best toothbrush that you can buy are electric toothbrushes, they have been proven to remove more plaque more effectively if used well. Electric toothbrushes are also easier for people with hand conditions and arthritis to use.

Avoid sugary and acidic foods:

There are plenty of foods which will cause decay and rot your teeth very quickly. This includes foods that are high in sugar contents and acidity.

Acidic drinks include lemon juice (or added to water), alcohol, fizzy drinks, fruit drinks, sports and energy drinks to name a few.

Sugary foods and drinks include lollies, candy, soft drinks and chocolate.

What does sugar do to your teeth?

Sugar is so harmful for our teeth, because the bacteria within plaque feeds off it to produce acids. These acids are the culprit which eats through your enamel, leading to tooth decay and other issues.

What foods and drinks stain your teeth?

Did you know coffee, tea and red wine are huge contributors to stained teeth?

We all love these drinks, but they are very good at staining teeth. It’s best to drink less and rinse out your mouth with water after consuming them.

Make sure you learn which foods contribute to staining of teeth and choose whether to avoid them or not.

Drink water!

Drinking water is important for your oral hygiene, as it washes away excess acids, food particles and debris. Plus, it is important as it helps maintain the balance of bodily fluids, after all our bodies are about 60% water.

Water helps digestion, circulation, transport nutrients, maintains body temperature and creates saliva.

Regular six-monthly dental visits:

It’s important to maintain your regular six-monthly dental check-ups, so that a dental professional can examine your overall dental health.

The dentist will perform a full oral examination, including dental x-rays, if needed to ensure you have no issues.

Furthermore, the dentist will professionally clean your teeth, to remove stains, discolouration and the calcified bacteria (calculus) that can’t be removed with regular brushing.

It is also recommended to get your dental treatment done in a timely manner, to reduce chances of other issues occurring.

Our team at All About Teeth in Townsville recommend that you follow these tips, so that you can maintain your healthiest smile. We offer a range of treatments, from general check-ups and cleans to more involved treatments. For more information or to book an appointment with our dentists, please contact us here.