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How to maintain proper oral hygiene

If you want your pearly whites to look perfect and healthy every time you say cheese, here are a few tips on how to maintain proper oral hygiene.

25 September 2019
by Jolandi Morkel

If you’re like me and don’t like visiting the dentist often, you’ll do whatever you can to avoid it. That means looking after your oral health every single day. If you want your pearly whites to look perfect and healthy every time you say cheese, here are a few tips on how to maintain proper oral hygiene.

Brush your mouth

That’s right, brushing involves brushing your teeth, your gums and your tongue. Do this at least every morning and every night before you go to bed. When brushing, don’t rush. Make sure you take your time and use circular movements to remove plaque, both from your teeth and your tongue.  Forgetting about your tongue could lead to bad breath (no one wants that) as well as other oral health problems.

Another important aspect of brushing is to use the right equipment. Use a brush with a smaller head to reach the back of your mouth easier. Make sure you replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3-4 months, seeing that the bristles can deteriorate when used every day.

When it comes to toothpaste, don’t let flavours and 'whitening' promises lead your choice. Make sure whatever toothpaste you use contains fluoride since it stays the most important defence against tooth decay. 

Time to floss

If you want to get an A for oral health, you have to floss every day. Bacteria love to make their way into the small, tight spaces where your toothbrush can’t reach. Just try to see floss as your toothbrushes’ best friend. Together they get most of the job done.

Don’t be too rough on your gums and teeth, and try to be as gentle as you can when guiding the floss between two teeth. Take your time and do one tooth at a time. As long as you brush and floss, it doesn’t make a big difference which one you do first.

Use a mouthwash

Add mouthwash to your oral health routine. It reaches areas where floss and toothbrushes can’t and helps to fight gingivitis while keeping your mouth clean and fresh. Especially if you’re a bit on the lazy side with flossing, then mouthwash is a great addition.

Dentist time

Even though you might be doing all of the above, it’s still important to visit your dentist twice a year for check-ups and to get a proper cleaning.