Today is National Fresh Breath Day, and a good time to review some important dental hygiene tips. Good oral hygiene leads to fresh breath, and ultimately leads to personal wellness. While the origin of this day is unknown, it has been created to promote awareness of the necessity of good oral hygiene and how to achieve it.
Halitosis, or bad breath, has several different origins based on how often we brush our teeth, what we consume, and the sulphur compounds that are generated by bacteria that accumulates in the mouth and between the teeth. In this article, we will discuss the dental hygiene tips that you need to know in order to enjoy healthy teeth and a healthy body.
What Oral Care Professionals Have To Say
The American Dental Association recommends you should clean your teeth a minimum of twice per day. The most important times to brush are the morning, after eating, and before bedtime. Here is a list of simple dental hygiene tips to help you keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy:
- Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush for at least two minutes.
- Brush your tongue as well. Bacteria forms there also.
- Follow up with a mouthwash to kill any missed bacteria and moisten your mouth.
- Be sure to floss at least once a day at bedtime.
- Limit snacking.
- Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning.
How To Brush Your Tongue
After brushing your teeth, and before you use mouthwash, is the time to clean your tongue. You can do this by simply using your toothbrush as it will get into all the grooves in your tongue and remove the bacteria that gets stuck there.
You can also invest in a tongue scraper, which costs about $2 on drugstore.com. If you use the scraper, place it on your tongue near the back of your mouth and pull forward a few times to get your tongue clean.
Healthy Foods That Are Bad For Your Teeth
While we all know that sugar-laden foods lead to tooth decay, there are others that you may not be aware of.
- Citrus
- Almonds
- Pickles
- Dried Fruit
- Coffee
National Fresh Breath Day is a good time schedule a dental appointment. While there, schedule a follow-up appointment for six months to establish a healthy routine that will keep your teeth healthy and your breath fresh.
