Changes You Can Make to Improve Your Oral Health

Improving your oral health is about much more than avoiding too many visits to your dentist. There's a strong connection between how healthy your mouth is and how well the rest of your body functions. Fortunately, making positive changes is easy and the results are usually rapid.

Toothbrush Technique

It's easy to assume that the way you hold and angle your toothbrush is the correct approach. However, if you're gripping it too hard, you may be reducing the fluid motions you need to tackle as much of your teeth's surface as possible. Instead of adopting a firm grip, hold your toothbrush with the same delicacy that you would use to hold a pen. You should also aim for a 45-degree angle so that you can deftly move food away from each tooth's surface. Don't neglect the back of your teeth either, as that's where a lot of hidden plaque can lurk.

Rinsing Regiments

A lot of people make the mistake of rinsing their mouths out with water every time they brush their teeth. While doing so won't cause significant amounts of harm, you are flushing away fluoride and other ingredients that keep your mouth healthy. Rinsing can play an important role in keeping your mouth healthy, though. Try rinsing your mouth with clear water every time you eat something. With that simple action, you'll keep away some of the food particles that can act as sustenance for harmful bacteria and reduce your risk of gum disease.

Switching Substances

Encountering tooth sensitivity can be problematic for a couple of reasons. First, it may indicate that there is something wrong. This is especially the case when the sensitivity isolates to one area, so try scheduling an ad-hoc dentist appointment if it does. Tooth sensitivity can also prevent you from engaging in your oral hygiene routine to the best of your ability. You'll naturally feel reluctant to brush for as long or with the right technique. If your teeth do become sensitive, try switching to sensitive tooth products. Over time, they should reduce the sensitivity and make it easier for you to maintain your oral hygiene routine. Alongside switching substances, consider a brush that has softer bristles. Softer bristles are less likely to aggravate your gums and are kinder to the nerve endings that make sensitivity occur.

Alongside these changes, make sure you speak with your dentist about adopting habits that are unique to your oral health profile. For more information, contact a dentist near you.