It is important to maintain your oral health and create healthy habits to prevent cavity and decay of your teeth and improve your overall health. Some habits to create if you have not already would be brushing at least 2 times a day. When brushing your teeth you want to move your brush in a small circular motion and be sure to get every area of the tooth, even between your teeth, which is the place most often forgotten. On average, you should be spending about 2 minutes brushing your teeth every time.
You will also want to floss daily. If you have braces or a permanent retainer, you can use a floss threader to help guide the floss between and under the wire to get the hard-to-reach places and prevent buildup of plaque that will possibly cause a cavity. Be sure to do this between each tooth consistently for healthy gums and teeth.
Another small tip or trick would be starting habits like chewing sugar free gum that contains xylitol. Xylitol reduces decay causing bacteria in the mouth, which then reduces cavities. Xylitol can be found in gums like Orbit, Trident, Stride and Sugar Free Extra.
Scheduling a hygiene/teeth cleaning appointment every 6 months is essential to keep your oral health in tip top shape. A hygienist will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums for any cavities, cracks or chips as well as gingivitis or periodontitis. X-rays may also be taken during this appointment to help us see any cavities that we may not be able to see with our eyes, as well as inspect your bone health.
Any tobacco products are harmful to your oral health. Striving to stop the use of any and all tobacco products would be a step in the right direction to improving your oral health.