Typically, a person has many responsibilities, especially as a parent. Although these duties can overwhelm a person, they are crucial in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life of individuals and their families. Oral hygiene entails more than just flossing and brushing. Family dentistry aims at ensuring that oral hygiene remains enjoyable and straightforward, hence ensuring every person, regardless of their age, is ready to take care of their smiles. Besides, failure to take care of oral health can lead to health issues. Therefore, a person should take good care of their health and their family.
The following are some budget-friendly dental tips for your family.
Floss and Brush Properly
A person needs to pay attention to the frequency, the duration, and the manner of how they floss and brush. There are specific methods that enable a person to clean their mouth properly, hence avoiding gum diseases and cavities. This is also supported by a survey conducted by AACD, showing that 99.7% of adults believe a healthy smile is always crucial. If you want to brush your teeth properly, you should consider the following techniques:
- Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Scrub the back, the chewing surface, and the front of every tooth in a circular motion
- Brush the tongue and the upper part
- Rinse the mouth and spit
The whole brushing procedure should last for at least two minutes, and it should be conducted twice per day. Additionally, a person should floss at least once daily, if possible, in the evening. You can use a floss pick or a string.
Make Oral Hygiene a Fun Activity
Oral hygiene can be boring, especially for children and many adults. Notably, about 44% of Americans say they wish they took better care of their oral health. So, if you want to add more fun, you should consider undertaking oral hygiene processes together. For instance, put on some music and line up in the bathroom, then brush together or in turns based on your bathroom’s size. The following are some tips that can make oral hygiene a fun activity:
- Allow the smallest kids to pick out their toothbrushes.
- Take some fun dancing videos as they brush.
- Offer a reward to the person who consistently brushes throughout the week.
Eat a Balanced Diet with Proper Nutrients
A person’s diet is crucial for oral health. Carbohydrates and sugary foods usually develop in an environment where bacteria that cause diseases thrive. Luckily, some types of food can significantly improve your health. These nutrients include calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and vitamin C.
Avoid Unhealthy Habits
Some habits such as chewing and smoking tobacco can significantly damage a person’s gums and teeth. Besides, such habits can also lead to unappealing dental stains, while continuous tobacco use increases an individual’s risk of gum conditions and oral cancer. Regardless of your age, it would help if you avoided these habits at all costs since they can lead to serious dental issues, like losing a tooth. In fact, about 120 million people in the U.S. do not have at least one tooth! Other unhealthy habits which can deteriorate your dental and oral health include using teeth as tools, nail-biting, and chewing ice, among many others.
Regularly Visit a Dentist
Frequent dental cleaning and check-ups are essential for adults and kids. It is recommendable to visit a dentist every six months. However, you can choose to visit your dentist more often, especially if you have some dental issues. When a person visits a dentist, the dentist examines conditions such as gum diseases, signs of cavities, and oral cancer, among other conditions. Seeking a dentist appointment can prevent more severe oral health issues.
Oral health is essential for a person’s health since it prevents a person from developing severe dental and oral diseases. As a parent, you should be responsible for your family’s oral health. The above tips can be useful for encouraging healthy dental and oral habits for your family.