Everyone wants healthy, white teeth. Apart from improving your confidence, good oral health contributes significantly to your overall health and wellbeing. Luckily, achieving and maintaining healthy white teeth is an attainable goal. At Beaches Dental Mona Vale, we want all our patients to have their best possible oral health.
In this article, we discuss five oral care tips that can help you on your journey to a healthier mouth.
Tips for healthy white teeth
Your journey to a strong, healthy smile starts at home with small lifestyle changes. Once you turn these changes into habits, it can be easy! If you combine these everyday habits with regular dental visits, your teeth and gums will thank you. Let’s have a look in more detail:
Develop a daily oral health routine
One of the best defences against decay, discolouration and other dental issues is good at-home oral care. A good oral health routine should look something like this:
- Brush your teeth: you should brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush twice a day for two minutes. Make sure you don’t forget to brush your tongue- it can harbour lots of bacteria.
- Floss: you should aim to floss once a day.
- Consider an alcohol free mouthwash: this is not an essential step but can remove any leftover bacteria or plaque that wasn’t brushed or flossed d away.
Use fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in food, water and plants. It can strengthen and protect your teeth from decay. Fluoride can be found in our tap water. We recommend using a fluoride-based toothpaste to help strengthen and protect your teeth. If you decide to add mouthwash to your daily oral routine, you could also choose one that contains fluoride, especially if you are at a higher risk of developing tooth decay.
Lead a healthy lifestyle
Leading a healthy lifestyle is important for your teeth and overall health. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation. Similarly, tobacco products such as cigarettes can damage and discolour your teeth and gums. You should try to limit your use of tobacco or quit altogether. There are plenty of free online resources to help you quit.
Eat a healthy diet
Some foods can actively help clean and whiten your teeth. They are known as detergent foods. They have a firm, fibre-like consistency and act as a natural brush. These foods include fruit and vegetables such as pears, apples, celery and carrots. They also include some nuts, cheese and unsweetened popcorn. You might like to try and incorporate some of these foods into your diet. Remember to limit snacking, even on healthy foods, as constant snacking can increase your risk of tooth decay.
Sugar is one of the main causes of dental decay. You should try to limit your intake of sugary snacks and soft drinks. Always remember to brush your teeth or drink fluoridated water to rinse your mouth after consuming something sugary.
Visit your dentist regularly
Even with the best at-home oral care, you should still aim to see your dentist every six to nine months. Your dentist can spot early signs of dental problems that cannot be seen with the naked eye. They can notice these little dental issues before they turn into big dental issues and offer treatment options.
Your dentist or dental hygienist will also perform a thorough clean, reaching areas that you can’t. The equipment used by dentists is specially designed to remove plaque and other hard build-ups. These substances can lead to decay if left untreated. Your dentist can also answer any questions you have about your oral health while you’re at your appointment.
Looking for a Northern Beaches family dentist?
Do you want healthy white teeth but don’t know where to start? At Beaches Dental Mona Vale, we aim to provide top quality treatment to all our patients. We can provide you with a personalised treatment plan to help you achieve your best oral health and a smile you love. Give us a call today to book an appointment.
