Some people feel anxiety prior to visiting the dentist. There's usually a bright light beaming down on you in a white room. It can be nerve-wracking to wait as your holistic dentist carefully analyzes your teeth and smile to see whether you have cavities and how well you've kept up with your dental hygiene regimen. Everyone wants to leave the dentist's office feeling good about themselves and certain that they've done all necessary to protect their teeth and gums. This article includes dental care recommendations that could help you impress your dentist during your next appointment.

Don't Brush Too Hard

There's a common misperception that the tougher you brush your teeth, the cleaner they'll be and the more plaque you'll remove. While this misperception might seem logical in principle, it doesn't work in practice. Brushing your teeth excessively hard and at extreme angles can cause gum recession and other oral health problems. When the gums begin to tear away from the teeth due to excessive pressure, more of the teeth are exposed, making them look longer.

Using a firm-bristled toothbrush can also cause this. Both tough bristles and brushing too hard are renowned for being extremely harsh on the teeth and gums. Remember to brush in gentle, circular movements that cover all surfaces of your teeth. Brush with just enough pressure to clean thoroughly, but not so much that it causes harm or discomfort. Harder bristles and harsh brushing behaviors have been shown to cause harm to the teeth and gums when practiced over time.

Use a Timer

You could brush for a few minutes and then rinse, giving the impression that you brushed properly when, in reality, it was only thirty seconds. Brushing haphazardly will only get rid of bad breath in the morning. On the flip side, brushing for at least two minutes will significantly benefit your dental health. Set a two-minute timer or listen to a two-minute song snippet while brushing. Doing this will enable you to brush appropriately.

Floss Regularly

Flossing is frequently overlooked because it is unpleasant. When it comes to maintaining excellent dental health and eliminating any material that might cause tooth decay from the tiny spaces between your teeth, flossing is just as essential as brushing. Although your toothbrush does a wonderful job of eliminating high levels of food, dirt, and other microorganisms that might harm your oral health, food can frequently become stuck, particularly if you have misaligned teeth. Flossing allows you to get rid of it and address those hidden regions where microbes and food debris might be hiding.

Use a Tongue Scraper

Brushing and flossing are the bare minimum you can do for your teeth and gum health. Unfortunately, many of the germs in our mouths dwell in the tiny gaps in our tongues. You'll need a tongue scraper if you're serious about avoiding tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing your tongue with the bristles of your toothbrush isn't quite as effective as using a scraper. You can get them in metal or plastic, and all you have to do is drag the scraper from the back to the front of your tongue. Tongue scrapers eliminate germs missed during brushing and flossing and prevent bad breath.

Drink More Water

Drinking more water can impress your holistic dentist for various reasons. If your community's water has been treated with fluoride, drinking it can help to restore minerals to your teeth and prevent decay. Unlike soda or other sugary drinks, water helps keep your teeth free of substances that can cause decay.

Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are beneficial to your health in more ways than one. These meals also include vitamins and minerals that are necessary for healthy teeth. Sugary or starchy meals, such as bread, baked confectioneries, and pasta, combine with bacteria in our mouths and destroy tooth enamel, causing cavities. In contrast, fruits and vegetables provide the vitamins and minerals needed by the teeth to be healthy.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals has been demonstrated to help clean teeth in studies. Chewing creates more saliva, which acts as a natural mouthwash. Food particles stuck between teeth can also be dislodged by chewing sugar-free gum.

Following the tips above can help you maintain teeth health, making your dentist much more impressed. Maintaining teeth health is easier when you consult with a holistic dentist. Need the input of a holistic dentist? Contact us now.