What is Good Oral Health: The Key to a Bright, Healthy Smile

What is good oral health? Brush your teeth a few times daily, and you’re good to go, right?

Not quite…

Good oral health is a combination of several good habits more than simply brushing and flossing. Various factors can affect your oral health, including overall health conditions and lifestyle choices.

If you're wondering why your teeth aren't as bright as the moon and your breath doesn't feel as fresh as a daisy, don't worry. Keep reading for simple steps you can take today to achieve a radiant, healthy smile and learn how to identify, pursue, and master excellent oral health.

Defining Good Oral Health

Good oral hygiene is more than just a ticket to a dazzling smile; it’s a cornerstone of overall well-being. Poor oral health can lead to serious health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease.

There is more going on in your mouth than just your teeth. What about your gums, the roof of your mouth and your tongue? There’s no self-cleaning operation happening when we get our beauty sleep, so how will you keep your teeth and the rest of your mouth in tip-top shape?

Creating good daily habits. That’s how.

Daily Habits for a Healthy Smile

Brush teeth twice daily

We know it’s an obvious one, but you’d be surprised at how many adults still don’t do this. Morning and night can’t be that hard to remember. But if you do struggle with it, set an alarm as this should be a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.  

Brushing your teeth doesn’t only keep your teeth healthy, white and cavity-free; it does wonders for your gums and aids in preventing all sorts of associated diseases. If you notice bleeding gums whilst brushing your teeth, this could be a sign of gum disease and should be addressed promptly.

Learn the correct way to brush your teeth

Up and down. Round and round. Under the gums and along the lines. And don’t forget the back teeth; they deserve some shine!

There’s a specific technique for brushing teeth. Don’t worry; the time it takes to brush remains the same, but spending two minutes brushing your teeth with the correct technique instead of brushing them willy-nilly will make a massive and very noticeable difference in your oral health. So here’s the lowdown:

Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle. Use a soft or electric toothbrush and apply gentle pressure. Go from one side of your mouth to the other, brushing the top or bottom row entirely before moving on to the next. 

And before you put your toothbrush back…mdon’t forget to:

Brush your tongue

Get this: the bacteria on your tongue can still cause tooth decay, cavities and gum disease.

So, brush your tongue!

Floss

The space between our teeth is like a rave party for bacteria to breed and plaque to develop. There are places between our teeth that toothbrush bristles simply cannot reach. So floss your teeth and don’t be shy about getting it up under your gums—that’s where sneaky leftovers like to hide.

Use mouthwash

Fresh breath, anyone?

While mouthwash can sometimes be harder to contain than a shot of vodka, it does wonders for oral hygiene. Adding mouthwash to your teeth-brushing routine will help kill the bacteria that cause bad breath and dislodge food particles that get stuck in your mouth after your last meal.

Gum Disease Prevention

Gum disease might sound scary, but the good news is that it’s largely preventable with good oral hygiene practices. Gum disease happens when plaque and bacteria build up on your teeth and gums, leading to inflammation and infection. Not fun.

The best way to prevent gum disease is to stick to a solid oral hygiene routine. Brush and floss regularly to keep plaque at bay, and make sure to visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. A healthy diet can also play a big role in prevention. Load up on fruits and veggies, and try to avoid sugary drinks and snacks that can contribute to plaque buildup.

By taking these steps, you can keep your gums healthy and avoid the discomfort and complications of gum disease. Your gums will thank you!

Foods That Support Oral Health

I bet you think we’re about to list off a bunch of snooze-worthy healthy fruits and vegetables… Well, we are. But there’s more to it than that.

Calcium is an essential nutrient for keeping teeth and bones healthy. Certain foods can help reduce dental plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. So, making sure you include calcium-rich foods into your diet will support your healthy smile. For example, including oily fish such as salmon and sardines will provide you with your daily dose of calcium.

And, yes, leafy green vegetables are high on the list, but so are milk and cheese, so it’s not all bad things. (Can we all agree that cheese deserves its own food group because who else can’t live without it?)

Failing those, keep some almonds on hand and allow them to be your go-to snack from now on. Almonds are a powerhouse of nutrients, including calcium and protein, with minimal sugar. The act of chewing almonds can help break down plaque and clean the surfaces of the teeth.

Now for liquids, the most obvious one is to drink water. Drinking water and allowing yourself to stay adequately hydrated prevents your mouth from becoming dry, protecting against tooth decay, staining and gum disease.

Lastly, limit acidic and sugary food and drinks. Sugary food and drinks do nothing for your waistline and do even less for you when it comes to good oral health.

Bitesoft's Oral Care Solutions

We also highly recommend investing in a good quality electric toothbrush. And we’re so passionate about oral care that we decided to create a product we KNOW does the job. So now you can experience a deeper clean with our UltraSonic Toothbrush and enjoy five different brush settings! That’s right, five different settings because we believe that one isn’t enough. This toothbrush offers the following different modes: clean, white, polish, gum care and strength.

You’ll also be assured you’re spending enough time brushing with the 2-minute timer with 30-second reminders! We’re confident that this is the ultimate electric toothbrush for maintaining a pristine smile!