7 Effective Tips on How to Make Your Teeth and Gums Healthier

If you want to have healthy teeth and gums, you should pay attention to many factors. Indeed, proper oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups are the most important parts of proper oral care. But you should understand that there are other things that can either improve or worsen the condition of your oral cavity. In this article, we have gathered seven effective tips on how to make your teeth and gums healthier.

1. Brush and floss your teeth thoroughly
Many people don't maintain proper oral hygiene. As a result, the bacteria in their oral cavities thrive and lead to the development of many oral issues like bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. To keep your teeth clean, you should brush them for three minutes every morning before meals and every evening after meals. Additionally, you need to use dental floss to clean the interdental space. You should know that tooth decay is more likely to occur between the teeth since many people neglect the flossing routine.

2. Pay attention to your diet
A healthy oral cavity requires a healthy diet. Foods and drinks that contain sugar, acids, carbohydrates, and pigments can negatively affect both the appearance and condition of your teeth and gums. That's why it is important to maintain a healthy diet. You should eat fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, dairy products, fatty fish, eggs, and nuts. If you have a sweet tooth and can't live without sweets, it is better to choose dark chocolate. 

3. Stay hydrated
If you don't drink enough water, it can negatively affect your health including the condition of your oral cavity. Water helps increase saliva production and remove the bacteria from your mouth. It is also recommended to drink milk since it is a great source of calcium. If you are fond of tea, it is better to drink green tea since it contains compounds that help control inflammation and reduce the number of bacteria. 

4. Visit a dentist twice a year
Even if you don't experience any obvious oral issues, you still need to visit a dental clinic twice a year for check-ups. This is because the early stages of certain conditions can be asymptomatic so you may not know that you already need treatment. A professional dentist can define the early signs of many oral issues and perform accurate treatment. 

5. Quit smoking
Smoking is one of the worst habits that can affect your oral cavity and overall health. When you smoke, tobacco by-products mix with dental plaque and create a dark sticky film on the surface of your teeth. This leads to tooth discoloration, tartar build-up, and gum disease. Additionally, smokers often have bad breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

6. Limit coffee and alcohol consumption
Even though coffee is one of the most popular drinks, it is important to limit its consumption. This is because coffee contains both acids and pigments that can make your tooth enamel dark and thin. As for alcoholic drinks, you should know that they can dry out your mouth which can result in bacteria overgrowth. Alcoholic drinks that contain acids, sugar, and pigments (like red wine or various cocktails) can also worsen the condition of your teeth.

7. Undergo teeth cleaning and fluoride treatment
Teeth cleaning is an in-office procedure during which a dentist removes tartar accumulation and other debris from your teeth. Since tartar provokes gum disease, this procedure can help prevent it. You can also undergo fluoride treatment to prevent the development of tooth decay and even reverse its early signs. During this procedure, a dentist applies high concentration fluoride to your teeth to make them stronger.