To keep your teeth and gums healthy, practice good dental hygiene. While brushing your teeth twice a day is vital, it is not sufficient to maintain healthy and clean teeth. To remove persistent plaque and tartar buildup that cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone, regular dental cleanings are required.
Why Is Cleaning Your Teeth Important?
Prophylaxis, another name for teeth cleaning, eliminates plaque and tartar accumulation from teeth. If left on the teeth, plaque—a sticky coating of bacteria—can lead to tooth damage and gum disease. Hardened plaque, known as tartar, is difficult to remove with brushing and floss alone and can result in more serious dental issues like gum disease and tooth loss.
Additionally, to prevent these dental problems, regular tooth cleaning provides other advantages, such as:
- A brighter smile: Cleaning your teeth will eliminate surface stains from food, beverages, and cigarette use.
- Fresher Breath: Bad breath can be brought on by plaque and tartar buildup. Cleaning your teeth removes the germs that cause foul breath, making your breath smell better.
- Early Dental Problem Detection: The dentist can spot early indications of dental issues like cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer during teeth cleaning. Early diagnosis of these disorders can prevent them from becoming more serious and costly to cure.
How Should I Clean My Teeth Correctly?
While having your teeth professionally cleaned, it’s equally vital to practice good oral hygiene at home. Here are some pointers on how to correctly brush your teeth:
- Brushing: Spend two minutes brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush your teeth in circular motions, paying special attention to the chewing, biting, and back surfaces.
- Flossing: To remove plaque and food fragments stuck between your teeth, floss at least once a day. If you have braces or other dental appliances, use a floss threader.
- Mouthwash: Using an antimicrobial mouthwash to destroy bacteria and give you fresher breath. 30 seconds of mouthwash should be used after brushing and flossing.
Sugary and acidic meals should be avoided since they can erode tooth enamel and result in tooth decay. Limit your consumption of these meals, and remember to clean your teeth afterwards.
- Give up Smoking: Smoking not only discolors teeth and gives foul breath, but it also raises the risk of oral cancer and gum disease. To improve your dental health, stop smoking.
- Routine Dental Checkups: Visit your dentist every six months for a professional teeth cleaning and dental examination. Early detection and treatment of tooth issues by your dentist might stop them from worsening.
Conclusion
Maintaining good oral health and avoiding dental issues require regular teeth cleaning. Your teeth and gums can remain healthy through regular professional teeth cleanings, brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash properly at home. These pointers can help you maintain clean, healthy teeth that give you a radiant smile and fresh breath. Also, remember that a wholesome tongue opens the door to a healthy body!