How To Care For Your Teeth At Home

Good dental hygiene and oral care start when you’re young, and it’s important to take care of each teeth inside out. Not only can this keep your teeth whiter and in good condition, but it can also support your overall oral health.

Having a brighter and shinier smile is one of the most attractive traits that comes with healthier teeth and gums.

Want to learn the basics of how to care for your teeth at home? We’ve got you covered.

7 Best Tips For Effective Teeth Care At Home

If you are thinking how one can have healthy teeth and gums, then you must include these oral care routines in your daily life, and use these teeth care at home tips to have healthier teeth and brighter teeth. Here are the 10 best ways to ensure your teeth care at home.

1. Brush Your Teeth Regularly

Your everyday hygiene habits are crucial to your overall dental health, and you must brush your teeth for about 2 minutes before going to bed every day.

This is the best way to keep your teeth clean, and the way you brush is equally important. In fact, poorly brushing your teeth is almost similar to not brushing at all.

Take your time, moving the toothbrush gently on your teeth in circular motions to remove plaque because it can harden, leading to calculus buildup and gingivitis (early gum disease).

1. Get The Best Toothbrush

There are different brushes in the market, ranging from soft to hard to electric. The best kind is the softer ones, as our teeth do not require hard brushing.

For most adults, a toothbrush with a small head and round bristles is good. If you’re using an electric brush with an oscillating or rotating head, it may work better than a manual toothbrush.

Making sure to brush your teeth thoroughly at least two times a day is more important than the type of brush you choose to brush with. If in doubt, ask your dentist.

1. Floss Regularly At Least Once

Flossing isn’t done just for dislodging food wedged between your teeth. Regular flossing also reduces gum disease and prevents bad breath by removing plaque. It’s best to floss before brushing your teeth.

• Take 30 cm to 45 cm of floss or dental tape and take it so you have 3cm or 4cm of floss left between your hands.

• Slip it between the teeth and into the areas between your teeth and gums, as far as it will go well.

• Floss your teeth with 8 to 10 strokes, up and down in a circular motion between each tooth, to remove food and plaque.

1. Don’t Forget To Clean Your Tongue

Are you confused about where the bad breath comes from?

It’s probably your unclean tongue, and it doesn’t matter how talkative you are, you must clean your teeth on a regular basis to have a clean and fresh breath.

Plaque occurs not only on the teeth and crevices but also on the tongue. Over time, it can cause a major foul breath if you do not brush correctly.

1. Use mouthwash To Maintain Dental Hygiene

Advertisements make mouthwash seem like it is necessary for oral health, but many people skip them because they don’t know how they work.

Using a mouthwash containing fluoride can help to prevent tooth decay, but avoid using mouthwash (with fluoride) immediately after brushing your teeth. Choose a different time to use mouthwash, probably after lunch.

Don’t eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after using a fluoride mouthwash.

1. Stay Away From Cigarettes And Coloured Foods

Smoking also affects your dental hygiene leading to gum disease and bacteria on the teeth gets under the gum which leads to increased levels of plaque if the germs get to stay on the teeth for longer.

Just like smoking, colored foods also impact the color of your teeth, making them look yellowish and feel unhealthy and unrefreshed.

1. Store Your Toothbrush In Unhygienic Place

Most people keep their toothbrush in the bathroom, which is one of the most unhygienic places to keep your toothbrush.

To maintain oral hygiene, avoid sharing your toothbrush with others. Keep it in an open area to prevent moisture from forming bacteria on the bristles.

Focus On Your Eating Habits To Maintain Oral Hygiene

Make sure to avoid consuming certain foods that can be harmful to your oral health, causing tooth decay and gum disease.

• Have A Balanced Meal

Diet and oral health have a bidirected relationship with each other. Diet and nutrition not only affects your physical health, but it also impacts your oral health. Having a balanced meal that is rich in nutrients and low in carbohydrates promotes teeth health.

Make sure to have a balanced diet that contains plenty of vegetables, fruits, and proteins, but limit your food intake that is rich in fat and sugar.

• Avoid Sugary And Acidic Drinks

Energy drinks are packed with unhealthy ingredients like herbal stimulants, preservatives, high caffeine levels, carbohydrates, calories, and extremely high levels of sugar.

The excessive sugar in energy drinks can make your teeth susceptible to cavities that can harm your tooth enamel and put your teeth at a higher risk of decay.

• Drink Plenty Of Water

Water is considered to be the best drink for your overall health, including oral health. Doctors also recommend drinking water after every meal.

This helps wash out some of the negative effects caused by sticky and acidic foods and drinks in between brushes.

Key Takeaways

Including teeth care at home is part of daily life, but people neglect or forget about their oral health due to busy schedules and unhealthy eating habits.

But, now that you are aware of these issues, and know the best way to keep your teeth clean and healthy, and how to have healthy teeth and gums, it’s time to see a dentist and start to brush your teeth and care for your oral and dental health before it’s too late.

Oral Care For A Lifetime Of Smiles

Referral Site –

[ADA]  Nutrition and Oral Health  August 30, 2023

Pregnancy and oral health are interlinked to each other, as pregnancy causes hormonal changes and increased demands on the body that can affect both your maternal and fetal.

Pregnant women are susceptible to wide range of oral problems that could be harmful to their health and the baby. Hormonal changes can cause various oral health problems like gingivitis, periodontitis, and even tooth decay.

If you forget dental care while pregnant, then you must read this blog to know pregnancy dental care and what safety erasure you can take to prevent oral problems.

How Does Pregnancy Affect Oral Health

There are certain hormonal changes that take place in your body during pregnancy and oral health is greatly affected leading to oral infections.

• Changes in hormones during pregnancy (progesterone and estrogen) increase the risk of oral health conditions.

• Your eating habits change as you start to eat certain foods that you may not used to eat before the pregnancy, and the kind of food you eat can affect your overall oral health.

• Brushing and flossing during pregnancy can lead to nausea and vomiting (sick feeling in the stomach), and you may brush your teeth less than you used to do before.

• Not maintaining and taking care of your oral hygiene is one of the major and common risk factors for oral health issues.

Risk Of Dental Problems During Pregnancy

Pregnancy comes with various oral issues because of an increase in hormones, changes in diets, and eating behaviors.

Here are some of the common oral health conditions reported in women during pregnancy –

• Cavities (Tooth Decay)

Being pregnant makes you more likely to have cavities in your teeth due to binge eating and high intake of sugar containing foods and beverages. Cavities are a small damaged area on the surface of your teeth.

You can pass the bacteria to the baby that causes cavities during pregnancy or after birth, which means your child may have cavities in the future.

• Gingivitis

Hormones can increase your risk of Gingivitis, and 60 – 75% of pregnant women are reported to have Gingivitis. It is an inflammation of the gums, causing symptoms like (swelling and redness).

If it is left untreated, it can worsen over time and can lead to serious gum disease.

• Teeth Loss

High levels of (progesterone and estrogen) hormones during pregnancy can loosen the tissues and bones that help to keep your teeth in place, which can cause tooth loss.

• Teeth Erosion

If you have morning sickness (vomiting), your teeths are exposed to stomach acid which can harm your tooth enamel (the hard surface) of your teeth, leading to tooth erosion.

Symptoms Of Dental Problems During Pregnancy

Oral health affects your overall health, and oral health problems can happen before, during, or even after the pregnancy. It can affect the baby, and the baby’s oral health and general health after birth.

The main signs and symptoms of dental problems during pregnancy involve changes to your teeth and gums, such as –

• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Redness
• Shiny gum surface
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Mouth sores or lumps on the gums
• New spaces between your teeth
• Toothache or other pain
• Receding gums or pus along your gum line

While experiencing these signs, make an immediate appointment with a dental professional to cure the oral problems before it gets worse and leads to serious oral issues.

Ways To Prevent Oral Problems During Pregnancy

As you already know, there are severe oral health issues that come during pregnancy and oral health is greatly affected by hormonal changes and changes in your diet and eating habits.

Here are certain pregnancy dental care routines that you can include in your daily basis routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy and risk-free of oral diseases.

• Brush your teeth two times a day with (fluoride-based toothpaste) and floss regularly at least once a day. Use a soft bristles toothbrush. Brushing and flossing regularly removes plaque and helps to keep your teeth and gums clean.

• If you can’t brush your teeth because of vomiting problems in the initial months, use mouthwash or rinse your mouth with a mixture of baking soda and water. Rinsing with water and soda can help reduce the amount of acid in your mouth.

• Visit your dentist regularly for dental checkups every 6 months (twice a year) and even during pregnancy. During your dental checkup, tell your dentist that you’re pregnant.

• Maintain your diet, and include healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, lean meat, whole-grain breads, pasta, and low-fat dairy products.

• Limit sweets and sugary foods and drink plenty of water instead of sugary and acidic drinks.

• Including healthy foods in your diet helps provide you and your growing baby important nutrients. Nutrients rich foods like calcium, protein, phosphorus, and vitamins A, C, and D will help your baby’s teeth to grow healthy.

• If you’re craving things like large amounts of ice, paste, dirt, or smoking, let your prenatal provider know.

How Dental Problems Are Treated During Pregnancy

Depending on your condition, your dentist may suggest you wait for treatment until your child’s birth. Treatments that are safe during pregnancy are –

• Medicines

Your dentist will prescribe you medicines that will be safe for you and your baby like medicines such as pain relievers and antibiotics to treat the oral infections.

• Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is a medicine used to lessen or prevent dental pain. Anesthesia is used in specific parts of the body to numb your mouth for dental fillings.

Several studies have found that pregnant women who have been exposed to mercury fillings have a higher risk of miscarriage, preeclampsia, and low birth weight of the baby.

Key Takeaways

Maintaining a good oral care routine, eating a nutrient-rich diet, and limiting excess sugar intake can help prevent oral health problems during pregnancy.

Plan an appointment with a dentist every 6 months for dental care while pregnant and to determine any early issues that can be easily treated, and take care of your pregnancy and oral health.

Protect Your Smile And Your Little One’s Oral Health

FAQs

1. Can I go to the dentist while I’m pregnant?

Yes, you definitely can and you should! Regular dental visits are totally safe during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester. Cleanings, fillings, and even X-rays (with proper shielding) are considered safe for both you and your baby. Just be sure to let your dentist know you’re expecting.

2. Why are my gums bleeding more than usual?

Pregnancy hormones can make your gums extra sensitive, which is why they might be red, swollen, or bleed when you brush. This is called pregnancy gingivitis, and it’s super common most moms-to-be experience it at some point. The key is staying on top of your brushing and flossing to keep it from turning into something more serious.

3. Is it true pregnancy can make you lose teeth?

Not directly, but it can increase your risk. Those same hormones that affect your gums can also loosen the tissues that support your teeth especially if you already have some gum issues going on. The good news? Good oral hygiene and regular checkups help you keep your smile healthy.

4. I’m dealing with morning sickness will it mess up my teeth?

It can, unfortunately. Stomach acid from vomiting can wear down your enamel over time. After getting sick, don’t brush your teeth right away instead, rinse with a mix of water and a little baking soda first. It helps neutralize the acid and protects your enamel.

5. What are those weird bumps on my gums?

Those are called pregnancy tumors (don’t worry they’re not cancerous). They’re just an overgrowth of gum tissue that some people get, usually during the second trimester. They can look kind of like a red raspberry between your teeth. Most go away after you give birth, but if they bother you, your dentist can check them out.

6. Is it okay to get a filling or tooth pulled while I’m pregnant?

Yes, if you need it, go for it especially in the second trimester when you’re likely feeling your best. Local anesthesia used for dental work is considered safe, so don’t put off treatment if something’s bothering you.

7. What’s the best way to take care of my teeth right now?

Here’s a solid routine:

• Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss every day (yes, every day!).
• Use an alcohol-free mouthwash.
• Drink lots of water, especially if it’s fluoridated tap water.
• Go easy on sugary snacks.
• Keep up with your dental checkups.
• Pregnancy is a busy time, but taking care of your teeth really pays off.

8. Can dental problems affect my baby?

They actually can. Gum disease during pregnancy has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight. Also, if you have untreated cavities, your baby is more likely to deal with dental issues later on. So yep, your oral health matters for your little one, too.

9. When should I tell my dentist I’m pregnant?

Right away! Letting your dentist know helps them adjust your care and timing of any procedures. Plus, they can give you advice specific to each trimester.

10. Are there any products I should avoid while pregnant?

Steer clear of mouthwashes with alcohol. Go for a gentle fluoride rinse instead. And if your gums are more sensitive than usual, switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and consider a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Referral Site –

Pregnancy  [ADA] June 22, 2023

Pregnancy Gingivitis  [Cleveland Clinic] July 03, 2022

Dental health during pregnancy  [HMSB]  February 2023

A beautiful smile is one of the most attractive traits that comes with healthier teeth and gums. But what can destroy your teeth? Poor dental hygiene habits. And guess what? Very few of us know how to brush our teeth properly without harming them. 

Keeping your teeth healthy requires good dental hygiene that starts at home and regular visits to the dentist.

Brushing teeth twice a day might not be enough to keep your mouth and teeth clean and healthy, especially if you are making these mistakes. Here are some of the common mistakes that can ruin your oral health. 

Picking The Wrong Toothbrush

• While choosing a toothbrush from a local supermarket, make sure to choose the brush that reaches the gaps of your teeth and covers the places that need covering.
• You should be able to reach everywhere in the mouth with a toothbrush to properly clean the pieces of food stuck in those areas.
• The bristles need to be soft and flexible so that they can bend and be able to get under the gum to clean the inner corners of the mouth.

Rushing While Brushing Teeth

• Most people do not consider brushing teeth an important part of their daily routine, and they just do it because they have to. But not brushing your teeth properly is equal to not brushing at all.
• You must brush at least two times, one in the morning before going to school, college, or the office and at night before going to bed, and most people cut it down short.
• Brushing shorter than 2 minutes doesn’t give enough time for fluoride in your toothpaste to attach to the enamel in your tooth.

Brushing For Too Long

• Brushing properly doesn’t mean that you need to brush your teeth for longer or for more than 2 minutes.
• Gently brush on all surfaces of your teeth in circular motions, especially if you have dental implants, to achieve clean and shinier teeth every day.
• Brushing teeth for too long can harm the upper surface of your teeth and the gums, which can make your teeth sensitive while eating or drinking soft and cold food and beverages.

Using Too Much Toothpaste

• The amount of toothpaste you use is also very important for oral care and brushing your teeth correctly.
• Dentists recommend choosing fluoride-based toothpaste, and that too in a small amount because taking too much toothpaste on your brush doesn’t necessarily mean that it will properly clean your teeth.
• But it is important to take the right amount of toothpaste, brush in circular motion, and reach every surface and inner corner of your teeth to have clean teeth and gums.

Brushing A Bit Too Hard

• Cleaning your teeth properly doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be hard on your teeth.
• There is a thin layer of bacteria on your teeth that can be easily removed by using the right brush and toothpaste.
• Choosing a toothbrush that has hard bristles and is too hard on your teeth can ruin the upper surface of your teeth.

Rinsing Your Mouth With Water After Brushing

• You can spit the toothpaste out, but the moment you mix water, the efficiency of the fluoride from your toothpaste is cut down.
• If you have a habit of rinsing your mouth daily. Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride instead of water.
• Wait for at least half an hour after brushing to rinse your mouth, drink water, or consume any beverages.

Not Using Dental Floss

• If you are not habitual to flossing regularly, you must start flossing every day at least once.
• Flossing is required once a day to remove plaque and food particles stuck in the inner corners of the teeth.
• Plaque that is not removed through brushing teeth should be removed by flossing. Otherwise, the deposits can turn into hard calcified deposits that can lead to tooth decay.

Storing Toothbrush In an Unhygienic Place

• Most people keep their toothbrush in the bathroom, which is one of the most unhygienic places to keep your toothbrush.
• Be smart, and avoid sharing your toothbrush with others. Keep it in an open area to avoid moisture that forms bacteria on the bristles.
• But, if you store it in the bathroom, and when you flush your toilet, the contents of the toilet bowl are transmitted in all directions and can sit on the bristles of the brush.

Forgetting To Clean Your Tongue

• Neglecting your tongue when it comes to oral hygiene is the most common problem seen in most people.
• You must remember to clean your tongue while brushing. Regularly clean your tongue to remove bacteria deposits and prevent bad breath.
• A good tongue cleaner scrapes out the residual bacteria from the tongue, making it cleaner. You can also get a toothbrush that has tongue cleaner on its opposite side.

Using The Same Toothbrush For Too Long

• When you have a good toothbrush, it’s sometimes hard to give up on that. But when you have been using your toothbrush for too long, and it has become discolored, the bristles have bent, or it looks dirty.
• It’s time for you to change your toothbrush and get a new one with soft and clean bristles.
• A toothbrush loses its power when its bristles become frayed. And you need to replace your toothbrush with a new one every 3 – 4 months or according to its condition.

How To Brush Your Teeth If You Have Dental Implants

If you have dental implants, you must know how to brush properly to take care of your oral health.

• Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush angled at 45 degrees towards the gum line.

• Gently brush in small circular motions, paying attention to the areas where the implants meet the gums. Clean your teeth and implants at least two times a day.

• Choose a low-abrasive tartar control toothpaste that is specifically designed to clean implants.

• Floss regularly with a Waterpik flosser to reach every inner corner and tight space.

• Avoid and reduce your sugar intake, and remember to clean your mouth with water after every meal, and don’t forget to schedule your next dental cleaning.

Key Takeaways

Include one change to your teeth-brushing routine every day. You’ll notice that your mouth feels fresher. Avoiding these teeth-brushing mistakes and regular visits to the dentist ensures long-term protection of your gums.

Love Your Smile, Love Your Oral Hygiene Routine