Oral care is essential for overall healthy teeth and gums. You can take a few measures to help keep your oral health in top condition. This article will discuss some of the most important oral care tips, some home remedies to try, foods to eat and avoid, and some health conditions that can be avoided with good oral and dental care. Taking everyday measures will eliminate the risks of any oral diseases.

Brushing correctly
Making sure that you treat your teeth and gum right by following the right brushing technique is crucial in keeping oral health in check. Here’s the right way to brush your teeth:

• Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Gently brush your teeth from all sides using this toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Also, remember to replace this brush every 3 to 4 months of use.
• Be mindful of using short back and forth motions and small circles to get between the gaps and clean the enamel as well.
• Keep your gums healthy by gently brushing along the gum line to ensure no food particles remains there.
• Always use a tongue scraper or brush to clean your tongue gently.
• Wash and rinse thoroughly with clean water and end the regime by flossing.
• You can choose from dental floss, pre-threaded flossers, or even a water flosser that cleans plaque build-up and food stuck between teeth.

If you have any health conditions that make moving your hands difficult, opt for an electric or battery-operated toothbrush.

Oil pulling
This method uses extra-virgin coconut oil to rinse your mouth of all the toxins and bacteria. Here’s how you practice oil pulling:

• Take one tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil. You can also take sesame or olive oil.
• Swish it around in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. But remember to not swallow this liquid.
• Once done swishing, you can spit this oil out into the wash basin.
• Rinse your mouth with water thoroughly before you eat or drink anything.

Oil pulling has several benefits, including reducing the amount of harmful S. mutans bacteria in the mouth. This method can reduce plaque and gingivitis, which is an inflammation caused to the gums.

Foods to avoid
Make sure these foods are either avoided or had in moderation:

Sodas
Sodas are normally taken in rather generous amounts. However, these carbonated drinks are high in sugar content and can be responsible for dental problems like tooth decay and cavities. If these beverages are frequently taken, they can also lead to plaque formation and may carry a risk of dry mouth.

Freezing food items
Savoring ice cream on a hot summer day feels delightful, but biting into it may cause some sensitivity in some people. Also, biting into ice can also cause some damage to enamel if not taken care of properly. Having iced foods or slushies should be limited to avoid any seething pain in the teeth.

Candies
Whatever the texture may be, overloading on eating chocolates and candies is a big no-no if you want to protect your teeth and gums from decay. The deposition of sugar and acid by these candies is way too harmful to be taken lightly. These habits can lead to tooth decay if not taken care of.

Chips
While chips don’t have as much sugar as candy, they contain starchy content that derails dental health. These crunchy snacks are addictive, and it becomes difficult to manage how much you eat them, leading to damage caused to teeth and gums.

Caffeinated beverages
That morning cup of coffee feels great, but not so much to your teeth and gums! Too much caffeine can lead to teeth discoloration or staining, leading to frequent dental visits and care. Such an ordeal is uncomfortable and overwhelmingly expensive to regularly get your teeth whitened at the clinic.

Health complications
While diseases like gingivitis, cavities, and tooth decay are understood when it comes to dental health problems, it should also be known that not keeping oral health in check can lead to other complicated diseases like diabetes, respiratory disorders, and even cardiovascular diseases. Always consult your dentist and understand things that can be done daily at home to keep your oral health in check.

Staying hydrated will keep your teeth and gums healthy. Some sticky or acidic beverages may decay teeth, so a quick mouthwash with clean water is helpful. See your dentist at least twice a year. Brush twice a day, and if you have eaten any foods that get stuck between your teeth, floss after a meal.