Dental Hygiene Tips

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums requires proper dental hygiene. It takes a lifetime of care to maintain good teeth. No matter how good your teeth seem, daily dental hygiene is essential to keep them healthy and free of diseases. This includes purchasing the appropriate dental care items and being conscious of your everyday practices.

Furthermore, oral health is about more than gum disease and cavities. According to several studies, the health of a person's mouth has been linked to their general well-being. Experts believe that poor dental hygiene is an important worldwide health issue¹.

Without care, dental decay and gum disease can cause discomfort, self-esteem issues, and tooth loss. These concerns may result in malnutrition, speech difficulties, and other difficulties at job, school, or in one's personal life. People can avoid these issues by practicing appropriate dental hygiene at home and the dentist's office.

Flossing and brushing are essential components of proper dental hygiene. However, there are other measures you can take to preserve healthy teeth and gums, which will also benefit your overall health.

Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day

Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the essential habits to eliminate plaque and germs and keep your teeth clean.  However, proper brushing techniques may be necessary for effectiveness.

According to the 2x2 rule, plaque may be avoided by brushing for two minutes twice a day. To make it easier to clean all your teeth, spend 30 seconds in each quadrant of your mouth. Parents of kids should engagingly introduce this idea. While they are brushing, you may play music or use a timer to determine when two minutes have been completed. 

Using the correct technique is essential to ensuring that the teeth are thoroughly cleaned, and the soft tissues surrounding them are not injured. Move the toothbrush in small circular motions towards the gum line. You should clean both the front and back surfaces of your teeth and the gum line.

Using the right toothpaste is equally important. My Magic Mud® Spearmint Charcoal Toothpaste contains Activated Charcoal, Bentonite Clay, Organic Coconut Oil, and Spearmint Oil. These ingredients whiten your teeth, eliminate plaque, toxins, and other impurities, deposit minerals on your teeth, and improve the general health of your teeth and gums. Moreover, Spearmint essential oil is the perfect breath freshener and adds exceptional flavor.

What's more, too much pressure or a toothbrush with strong bristles can harm tooth enamel and gums. This can lead to dental discomfort, irreversible damage to the protective enamel of the teeth, and gum erosion.

Soft-bristled toothbrushes are recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA). Additionally, they recommend that toothbrushes be replaced every three months or when the bristles begin to deteriorate, whichever happens first².

Floss Once Per Day

It is worthwhile to floss every night before brushing to eliminate debris that your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing can also prevent bad breath by eliminating food particles and dirt between the teeth. This is a crucial component of a healthy dental hygiene routine, although many individuals neglect it.

Initially, flossing may irritate very sensitive gums. It's normal and will stop after a few days of flossing. Be sure to glide the floss up and down along the whole tooth when flossing. Due to the inaccessibility of your toothbrush, narrow spaces are one of the most crucial spots to floss.

The ADA continues to advocate flossing despite the absence of long-term studies demonstrating its value³. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also advises individuals to floss their teeth⁴.

Consider Using a Mouthwash 

Mouthwash commercials portray it as essential for excellent dental health, yet many people don't use it because they don't understand how it works. Dentists report that mouthwash aids in three ways:

• It lessens the amount of acid in the mouth.
• It cleans difficult-to-brush places in and around the gums.
• It re-mineralizes the teeth.

Mouthwashes can be used as a complement to help get things back in balance. A mouthwash is particularly beneficial for kids, and the elderly, whose ability to brush and floss may not be optimal.

In addition, several studies show that certain mouthwashes can improve dental health. One study indicated that mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine antibacterial components help reduce plaque and gingivitis⁵. A meta-analysis demonstrates that mouthwashes containing certain essential oils are also effective⁶.

It is impossible for a mouthwash to replace brushing and flossing, but it can complement these measures.

Use My Magic Mud® Tooth Powder

I recommend you use My Magic Mud® Tooth Powder for additional dental hygiene. It's an effective formulation for making your teeth whiten, toxins-free, and healthy. This tooth powder comprises activated charcoal and other natural compounds of the finest quality, setting a new standard for natural dental care.

It works through an adsorption process by which the activated charcoal binds to harmful plaque and toxins on the teeth and eliminates them.  My Magic Mud's® Activated Charcoal Tooth Powder is the only activated charcoal tooth powder that proved safe and efficient for whitening and polishing teeth via laboratory testing.

Remain Hydrated Throughout the Day

Not only is adequate hydration beneficial to your general health, but it also aids in the maintenance of a healthy saliva flow. Saliva promotes dental health by transporting food particles through the mouth, preventing the majority of them from being lodged between the teeth, where germs can thrive. Additionally, it keeps your mouth moist and comfy⁷.

Don't Smoke

Smoking damages your body's immune system, making it harder for tissues, particularly those in the mouth, to recover. The CDC recognizes smoking as a risk factor for periodontal disease⁸, while the ADA warns that smokers may face slower recovery following dental procedures⁹. Smoking also alters the look of the mouth, resulting in yellowing of the teeth and tongue, and it can cause poor breath.

Quitting smoking immediately is one of the finest things you can do for your dental and general health.

Limit Sweet and Starchy Foods

Sugar consumption can cause cavities. Studies continue to demonstrate the significance of sugar's effect on dental health issues. Candies and pastries are common culprits, but many processed meals include added sugar.

The WHO recommends that adults take less than 10 percent of their daily calories from sugar¹⁰. The authors of a systematic study indicated that reducing this to 5 percent would further minimize the incidence of tooth corrosion and other dental issues¹¹.

According to experts, starchy foods such as crackers, chips, bread, and pasta can potentially trigger tooth decay. The ADA explains that these meals remain in the mouth and degrade into simple sugars, which acid-producing bacteria feed on. This acid can create cavities in teeth.

In place of starchy meals, the ADA recommends consuming an abundance of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables as well as sugar-free dairy products.

Go To the Dentist Every Six Months

If you have frequent dental checkups, your dentist will be able to prevent problems from occurring or at least detect them early. Regular visits also allow your teeth to be professionally cleaned twice a year, eliminating any plaque and tartar accumulation, which helps to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

A new study indicated that children and teenagers should visit the dentist every six months to avoid tooth decay. However, those who practice daily good dental hygiene and have a low risk of oral health issues may be able to visit their dentist less regularly.

People might consult their dentist regarding the frequency of checkups. The response may vary based on a person's medical history, age, and dental health. However, anyone who sees any changes in their mouth should see a dentist immediately.

Examine The Inside of Your Mouth regularly

While frequent dental examinations are a significant preventive step, problems might arise in the months between appointments. As part of your regular dental hygiene, you should do a short examination of the interior of your mouth to prevent significant issues. Check your gums and teeth for any changes or anything that appears out of the ordinary.

Ensure that you discuss this information with your dentist at your next appointment or contact their office if you find anything problematic. Regular self-examinations are essential for keeping good health.

Dental Hygiene Tips for Kids

Teaching children proper dental hygiene can help guarantee their teeth and gums stay healthy as they grow. The primary teeth, often known as baby teeth, are equally crucial as a child's permanent teeth. Baby teeth aid in chewing and speaking. They serve as placeholders for permanent teeth.

If a kid loses a baby tooth due to decay, this might inhibit the proper development of the adult tooth. It is ideal for teaching proper dental care to infants as early as possible. The following habits will aid in maintaining a child's healthy teeth and gums:

• Before they acquire teeth, clean a baby's gums daily with a warm, moist towel. This eliminates sugars from the gums and helps a child develop used to the sensation of brushing their teeth.
• It is inappropriate for infants and toddlers to go to bed with bottles or sippy cups. If milk and juice linger on the teeth for lengthy periods, they can cause tooth decay.
• Start teaching your infant to drink from a sippy cup as soon as one year old. Aim to eliminate bottle use by the child's first birthday.
• Permit toddlers to drink water from sippy cups between meals, limiting juice and milk to mealtimes.
• Once a baby gets teeth, they should be brushed with a soft baby toothbrush twice daily. Use no more than the size of a rice grain of toothpaste. Three- to six-year-old children may use a pea-sized quantity of toothpaste.
• Parents should brush their children's teeth until they can independently clean all of their teeth thoroughly. Observe them ensure they are spitting out the toothpaste.
• The ADA recommends that children see a dentist between six months of their first tooth emerging or 1^st birthday, whichever comes first.
• Parents should not use their mouths to wipe pacifiers or share eating utensils with their children. Both behaviors can transmit cavity-causing germs from an adult to a kid.

The Bottom Line

Your dental health is essential to your general well-being. From childhood through maturity, good dental hygiene practices can help a person maintain healthy teeth and gums. It is essential to put aside a few minutes daily for dental hygiene. You may prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems by brushing and flossing daily, using My Magic Mud® Tooth Powder and Toothpaste, not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and undergoing regular dental exams. It may also enhance your overall health.