Your mouth is an important part of your overall health. Dentist Robina Having healthy teeth and gums can help prevent many problems, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It can also help you feel confident about your smile and maintain a healthy weight.
The best way to keep up your oral hygiene is to follow a routine. This means brushing and flossing daily, drinking plenty of water with fluoride, and visiting your dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups.
You can find a variety of products to help you clean your teeth and gums at home. Ask your dentist for a recommendation that suits your needs and budget.
Start a daily routine that includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing once a day and using an antiseptic mouthwash to remove plaque from your teeth and gums. These daily hygiene habits will help to protect your teeth and gums from tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis and freshen your breath.
Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables, which act as natural cleaners and sanitizers to help wipe away bacteria from your teeth and gums. They also stimulate saliva flow, which helps to protect your teeth and gums from cavities and gingivitis by neutralizing the acids produced by bacteria that can cause these diseases.
Avoid smoking and other tobacco products, which can increase your risk of gum disease and oral cancer. You can also reduce your risk of these conditions by avoiding high-sugar foods and drinks.
Drink lots of water, which can thin out mucus and make it easier to breathe. You can also add a few drops of a vitamin C supplement to your water to boost its anti-oxidant properties.
When you’re sick, stay home from work, school and other activities. The bacteria and viruses that cause these illnesses thrive in cooler temperatures, so you’ll want to take care of yourself at home to protect your immune system and avoid spreading it to others.
Get plenty of rest, and try to go to bed early so you can allow your body to recover from the illness and ward off infection. It’s also a good idea to avoid consuming alcohol, which can contribute to bad breath and is a known cause of gum disease.
Don’t forget to use hand sanitizers when you can’t wash your hands. A quick 20-second swab with a germ-killing soap can help to keep you healthy and avoid illness-causing bacteria.
Sleeping with your head elevated can also help to protect against colds and infections by reducing the amount of mucus in your nose and throat. You can even try taking a warm bath or shower to relax your muscles and give your respiratory system a break.
It’s a good idea to wash your hands after every time you’ve used the bathroom or eaten something that has gone in your mouth, as this will prevent the spread of illness-causing germs. You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, but they should contain at least 60 percent alcohol to kill harmful microorganisms that might be on your hands and in your mouth.