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Surprising Ways You Can Improve Your Oral Health

Surprising Ways You Can Improve Your Oral Health

Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.

Most of us have what we’d assume are fairly good habits when it comes to oral hygiene. We brush and floss twice a day and go to the dentist for check-ups. But in fact, there’s usually a little more to a stunning smile and healthy teeth and gums than these basics. Making some smaller changes, like the time that you brush, can improve your oral health even further. Here are some of the less obvious ways to care for those teeth and gums.

Learn More About Your Diet

You probably already know that you should avoid sugary foods and drinks and that tea, coffee, and red wine will all stain your teeth. But even diet fizzy drinks that are sugar-free can damage your teeth, and healthy foods such as fruit can be harmful if you eat too much of them. Look at labels for hidden sugars and sweeteners and learn more about how what you eat might affect your teeth.

Stop Rinsing After Brushing

As kids, we’re often told to rinse after brushing and to avoid swallowing too much toothpaste. As adults, we know not to swallow toothpaste, so we’re better at spitting instead of rinsing away the fluoride in our toothpaste, which can help to protect our teeth.

Get Your Teeth Straightened

Most people think about using clear braces to straighten their teeth for purely aesthetic reasons. While it’s true that invisible braces will help you to feel more confident about your smile, they can also improve your oral health. Using teeth aligners from Straight My Teeth can straighten your teeth and remove any overlaps. This makes them easier to clean and bacteria are less likely to get trapped, reducing the risk of decay, infection, and gum disease.

Drink More Tap Water

In most areas, tap water contains fluoride in small levels. This can help to strengthen your teeth and is better for them than bottled water.

Adjust Your Brushing Routine

Brushing your teeth is obviously very important. But brush at the wrong times and your hard work isn’t going to have the same effect.

If you enjoy a glass of orange juice or other acidic food and drink in the morning, or later at night, you should avoid brushing for at least 30 minutes afterwards.

This is because foods that have a low PH, like that refreshing glass of orange juice, can soften the enamel on your teeth. This doesn’t last and isn’t harmful as long as you are enjoying them in moderation. But it means that if you brush straight after you risk scraping away some of the enamel, which can lead to decay.

Switch to a Softer Brush

Most of us assume that harder brushes help to remove more bacteria and polish our teeth better. Your teeth might even feel smoother and shinier after a good brush with hard bristles. But you brush twice a day, and these harsh bristles can do damage to your teeth over time. Switch to a softer brush and instead focus on brushing for two minutes and making sure that you get into those hard-to-reach areas.

Looking after your teeth doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s often a case of getting into good habits and becoming more aware of how your habits are affecting your oral health.

Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.

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