Maintaining your oral hygiene is a habit that most of us establish at the youngest of age. It’s something you learn from our parents and you know is very important, especially once you realize that oral hygiene can greatly influence your overall health. But, other than oral hygiene, is there anything else you can do to protect your gums and teeth? Yes, there is, and here’s what.

Crunchy food

Whether it’s celery, apples, carrots or cucumbers, eating food that’s crunchy, hard and loaded with water will help you keep your teeth healthy in several ways. When you chew, saliva that is produced in your mouth neutralizes the cavity-causing bacteria. Also, these healthy foods are abrasive, so they function in a similar way to a toothbrush, scrubbing and polishing your teeth, eliminating leftover food bits, stains and plaque. So, visit one of Sydney’s farmers’ markets, purchase organic fruit and vegetables and your teeth and gums will thank you for it.

Fluoride toothpaste

When choosing toothpaste, read the labels and get the ones that contain fluoride, since these are the best options for keeping your gums and teeth in good health. Fluoride creates an invisible protective layer on your teeth, which lowers your chances of tooth decay and makes your teeth resilient to deterioration caused by sugar and plaque occurrence. You can find fluoride toothpaste in any supermarket or pharmacy from Newtown to Parramatta, so get yours as soon as possible.

Flossing

Every time you see your dentist, they probably remind you to floss, and it’s not something they do for no reason. Your toothbrush, as important as it is, can only do so much. It’s the floss that removes the pieces of food that your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing also helps you remove plaque, prevent tooth decay and tartar accumulation. You should floss at least once every day. Cut off enough floss to be able to wrap it around your forefingers, hold it with your thumbs and slide it upwards and downwards between and around your teeth. It takes a moment or two, but the effects last for much longer than that.

Dental cleanings

No matter how careful and thorough you are when your oral hygiene is concerned, there are simply some things you’ll need help with. One of them is dental cleaning, which will require you to find a good dentist in Bondi Junction or any other part of the city, have them check your gums for early signs of gum disease and treat them before things get out of hand. They can remove the tartar from your teeth and gums, as well as any remnants of plaque, which is something you can’t do yourself. Getting dental cleanings on a regular basis can help you greatly with gingivitis treatment.

Forget smoking

If you’re a smoker, you must have already noticed the stains tobacco leaves on your teeth. However, that’s not the worst of it. Smoking can cause gum disease, weaken your teeth and may even lead to oral cancer. It also decreases your immune function, which makes it harder for your body to fight the bacteria in your mouth that cause gum disease and oral tissue deterioration. So, if you needed another reason to stop smoking, you’ve just found it.

Brush your teeth properly

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime. The toothbrush you use should be soft-bristled and you should replace it every three months or so. If you catch the flu or suffer any type of mouth infection, change it as soon as you get better, so that the infection doesn’t return. Brush your teeth gently, with short strokes upwards for the lower teeth and downwards for the upper ones. Brush each of your teeth about 20 times, or for about three minutes. Avoid storing your toothbrush in a closed container, since this can cause viruses and bacteria in it to multiply and grow.

Foods containing calcium and phosphorus

In order to maintain good gum and teeth health, a good idea is eating foods rich in calcium and phosphorus. This is because your enamel erodes from various acidic foods and drinks you consume, and since enamel mainly consists of minerals, the calcium and phosphorus intake can help your teeth regain their strength. These two valuable elements are what enamel is made of, so eating dairy products, seafood and almonds for calcium, and red meat, eggs, fish and pumpkin seeds for phosphorus can help improve your oral health.

Don’t expect your teeth and gums to remain healthy if you don’t take good care of them. Maintain your oral hygiene regularly and meticulously, visit your dentist once or twice a year and your chances of good oral health will increase significantly.