3 Essential Steps Of Every Oral Health Routine

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Making your oral health a priority is so important, so we’re here to make it simple with three essential steps you can easily incorporate into your routine. Looking after your oral health now will be very much worth it in the future, to help reduce the need for restorative treatments in the future and also to help you keep your natural smile healthy for as long as possible! From visiting your dentist in Wakefield to improving your at-home oral hygiene routine, we’ve got you covered!

Visit Your Dentist and Hygienist

The first and one of the most important things you need to do for your oral health routine is to visit your dentist and hygienist every 6 months. Not only will they make sure that everything is healthy and provide advice on how best to look after your teeth, mouth and gums whilst you’re at home, but they could save you a lot of time and pain in the future. Around a 6 month gap is ideal to ensure that any issues, particularly those that are symptomless, can be picked up and treated before the issue gets too severe. Your dentist may also recommend different cosmetic treatments to improve your oral health, for example having Invisalign in Wakefield to make sure you can clean between all of your teeth properly.

It’s also important that you see your hygienist, as even if you have the most thorough oral hygiene routine, plaque can still build up and turn into tartar. When this is left in the mouth, over time it can cause tooth decay. Your hygienist will remove any build up of tartar to keep everything nice and healthy!

Use Fluoride Based Products

Another thing you should be doing is using fluoride based products like toothpaste and mouthwash (also make sure you’re flossing once a day, although floss doesn’t contain ingredients like this usually). These products don’t cost any more than other ones, so it’s worth just checking the back of the ingredient packet to make sure fluoride is included. Fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel on the teeth and protect against the bacteria that naturally builds throughout the day. Make sure that after you’ve brushed with fluoride toothpaste, that you don’t rinse your mouth out with water and ensure you leave it for at least 30 minutes before having a drink or using mouthwash, just to make sure it’s having time to take effect properly.

Drink Plenty of Water

Lastly, you should be drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Whenever we eat, our mouth releases bacteria to break down food particles. When this combines with the food, it can produce an acid which is dangerous for the teeth. So, drinking plenty of water throughout the day, especially after you’ve eaten or had a snack, is really important. Not only can it wash away some of the sugar or food particles, but it also encourages your mouth to produce saliva, which also helps to remove unwanted food or bacteria from the mouth. Aim to have a glass of water every hour to keep your mouth healthy and your smile happy!