8 Great Dental Health Tips
Everyone wants to have a great smile which is why good oral health is important! Having poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems in the future such as gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Regular check ups and cleanings can prevent these problems as well as provide you with good oral hygiene.
Here is a list of 8 Dental Health Tips you can take to promote great oral hygiene.
1. Know Your Dental Status
Know your dental status – get a check up. Don’t assume that no news is good news when it comes to your dental health.
2. Proper Brushing
When brushing your teeth, position the bristles at an angle of 45 degrees near the gum line. Both the gum line and the tooth surface should be in contact wit
h the bristles. Brush the outer surfaces of the teeth using a back-and-forth, up-and-down motion, making sure to be done gently in order to avoid bleeding. To clean the inside surfaces of the teeth and gums, place the bristles at a 45-degree angle again and repeat the back-and-forth, up-and-down motion. Lastly, brush the surfaces of your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove bacteria, which might cause bad breath.
Try to brush at least twice a day to prevent acid buildup from the breakdown of food by bacteria. However, if your work or activities prevent you from doing this, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water after eating to minimize the amount of food that would serve as substrate for the bacteria.
3. Flossing
Keep in mind that the toothbrush cannot get in between the teeth and you need to use another method to clean in between the teeth. Not even mouthwash can get between the teeth like floss can. If the space is tight then dental floss is recommended. If the space is not so tight then use ribbon floss or super floss. If the space is a little wider still then use the interdental brush. A visit with the dentist would set you straight. The most important thing we can do for you is to teach you how to be more efficient at cleaning your teeth. It would avoid a host of problems in the future. We recommend flossing at least once a day.
4. Avoid Tobacco
Avoiding tobacco will save you from oral cancer and gum complications, AND it will save you from the countless ill effects caused by the agents used 
to mask the smell of tobacco. For example, if you smoke a cigarette, you may use candies, tea or coffee to mask the smoky breath and odor. This doubles the amount of damage caused to your teeth.
5. Have Regular Cleanings
At least twice a year, make the effort to have a hygiene visit. Not only are you keeping your teeth and gums clean but there is also the opportunity for your dentist to tell you about what’s going on in your mouth.
6. Replace Missing Teeth
A dangerous domino effect can arise from failure to replace teeth once they are lost. The opposing teeth can move downwards or upwards and the teeth beside can start tilting and drifting. This is best explained in the diagram below.
Some options include dentures, bridges and implants.
7. Prevention
It’s worth much, much more than a cure in dollars and cents. In addition to seeing your dentist regularly, you can do simple things like adjusting your diet to contain more water and less sugary foods and drinks. All this sugar, without proper rinsing after consumption, will cause cavities.
Ask your dentist about sealants as a good preventive measure against cavities.
8. Use Mouthwash
Find one that has fluoride in its main ingredients. This fluoride will further strengthen your teeth against the action of bacteria, reducing your risk of cavities. It can also be a fun activity for the little ones, just be sure that it is alcohol free.