From being able to chew food to flashing that beautiful smile, your teeth and gums play a major role in your life. Taking proper care of your teeth and gums helps keep tooth decay and gum diseases at bay. Following a regular dental care routine does more than just preventing gum diseases; it improves your overall health. Mentioned below are some dental care tips that help boost your oral health.

Brush twice a day
The importance of brushing twice a day cannot be emphasized enough. While brushing in the morning is important, doing the same at night is absolutely necessary. It removes the plaque buildup and breeding of bacteria that are responsible for tooth and gum diseases. Holding the brush at a 45-degree angle and brushing in a circular and horizontal motion is the right way of brushing. Be gentle and make sure you do not brush vigorously, which could damage both your teeth and gums.

Floss at least once a day
Flossing helps to reach the crevices of the teeth and gums which your brush cannot reach. Flossing after you brush is a good idea for complete removal of plaque and bacteria.

Avoid sugar
Apart from adding sweetness to what you eat, sugar has not many benefits to health. Sugar and starchy foods react with the saliva in your mouth and produce acids. These acids erode the enamel of your teeth causing decay. Therefore, it is best to avoid sugar and starchy foods. In case you eat these, brush your teeth immediately to avoid future decay.

Use a mouthwash
An antibacterial mouthwash helps fight the bacterial buildup in the teeth and gums. It also helps avoid bad breath. Use a mouthwash after your meal for good oral health.

Use toothpaste with enough fluoride
Fluoride strengthens the enamel and prevents it from decaying. Studies show that 3 out of 4 people drink water that has fluoride in it. However, if the water you consume doesn’t have fluoride, ask your dentist to prescribe a toothpaste that has it. It is important to use it in small quantities (pea sized on a toothbrush) since too much fluoride could leave white spots on your teeth.

Chew gum after meals
Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal helps to produce more saliva. This excess production washes away the bacteria which could induce decay. It also helps remove any food debris stuck on your teeth or gums.

Use sealants
Permanent molars grow around the age of six. Getting them coated by a thin layer of sealants helps prevent decay in the long run. It protects your teeth from acids and food debris that would cause caries.

Avoid smoking
Smoking has various health hazards. Your teeth are no exception. Tobacco not only stains your teeth but also increases your risk of gum disease and oral cancer. It is best to quit smoking altogether.

Visit your dentist every six months
A routine dental care checkup every six months is recommended to rule out any chances of decay, wear and tear, gum disease, dry mouth, or even oral cancer.