Did you know that there are about as many bacteria in your mouth as there are people on earth? That’s 7.8 billion different bacteria! The incredible thing is that they all work together to keep your mouth (and body) healthy. That is,if you do your part to keep your mouth healthy.

Good oral hygiene habits are essential to a healthy mouth and body. While brushing your teeth twice a day is important, it’s not the only thing you should be doing to keep the bacteria in your mouth balanced. Neglecting your mouth can lead to an imbalance of good and bad bacteria. If the bad bacteria gain traction, they can cause a lot of oral health problems, including:

• Cavities
• Bad breath
• Gum disease
• Tooth loss

We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, but here are three more things you should be doing to improve your oral health:

1.    Floss daily.

According to a report by USNews.com, 67 percent of adults skip flossing their teeth every day. If you’re one of the 67 percent, you’re missing out on the many benefits of flossing.

Brushing only cleans 60 percent of the surface of your teeth—the front and back, but the sides of your teeth are the areas where plaque and food particles hide. This leaves your mouth much more susceptible to tartar build-up that leads to gum disease.

Flossing your teeth once a day can reduce your risk of these oral and overall health issues:

• Bad breath
• Gingivitis
• Respiratory disease
• Heart disease

Here’s how to properly floss your teeth:

Step 1: Break off about 18 inches of dental floss and wind it around both of your middle fingers until you have one inch between the two. As you move between each tooth, one of your fingers will unwind the clean floss and the other will take the used floss.

Step 2: Hold the unwound part of the floss between your thumbs and pointer fingers.

Step 3: Move the floss up one side of your tooth. At the gum line, be sure to curve the floss against the side of one tooth and move away from the gum.

Step 4: Repeat this process until you’ve cleaned each tooth.

2.    Use an antibacterial mouthwash.

Also referred to as an antiseptic mouthwash, antibacterial mouthwashes are an added defense against the accumulation of disease-causing bacteria in your mouth.

Brushing and flossing do a great job of cleaning your teeth, but mouthwash helps to prevent infection, heal irritated gums, and freshen breath!

You can use mouthwash before or after brushing. Be sure to choose a mouthwash with the ADA Seal of Acceptance and follow the directions on the back of the bottle.

3.    Eat properly.

It’s no secret that soda and candy are awful for your teeth. These and other substances can wear down the enamel on your teeth, get stuck between your teeth, and cause tooth decay.

We don’t expect you to completely avoid these foods, but there are many other options that actually improve your oral health!

Maintain a diet with dense nutrients to achieve optimal oral health (and better overall health):

• Calcium. This is found in yogurt, cheese, almonds, leafy vegetables, andsalmon.
• Phosphorous. You can find this in fish, eggs, dairy, beans, nuts, and lean meat.
• Vitamin C. Citrus fruits, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, and potatoes all contain this beneficial vitamin.

By simply replacing your snacks with these healthier options, you can do a lot to improve the health of your mouth!

Visit Your Dentist

Of course, one of the best things you can do for your oral health is visit your dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and exam. At these appointments, your dentist or dental hygienist will remove any lingering plaque or tartar from your teeth and ensure that your teeth and gums are in great shape.

Looking for a dentist in the Grant Park area? Contact our friendly dental team today at 404-328-7177 to schedule an appointment.