5 Ways to Eliminate Harmful Bacteria in Your Mouth with Professional Dental Care

When you find yourself struggling with mouth bacteria, it’s not only a minor nuisance, but a potentially serious oral health risk. Without the proper professional dental care treatment, mouth bacteria can lead to other medical problems, including compromising your heart health. The good new is, it’s relatively easy to keep your mouth healthy, as long as you give it the care it deserves. There are several preventative measures you can take to guard against bacteria, which you can practice in the comfort of your own home. Here are five ways to really control the presence of bacteria in your mouth, and get a good report card when you visit the dentist.

Brushing

While your teeth are naturally covered in plaque, when you eat or drink (especially foods and fluids containing sugar) the bacteria found in plaque produces acids that can wear away your teeth’s enamel. Brushing your teeth twice a day, with fluoride toothpaste, can really help sweep the bacteria and plaque away, and remove food particles and strains of bacteria from your mouth. It is especially important to brush after meals, when the food particles are most prevalent. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three to four months to keep it fresh, limit exposure to bacteria found on the bristles, and maximize its effectiveness.

Tongue Scraping

Food particles and bacteria found on the tongue can easily lead to bad breath. When brushing, don’t just pay attention to your teeth, but scrub the food from your tongue as well. You can also use a tongue scraper to get rid of bacteria on the tongue. Flossing after meals is another good way to make sure you’ve done a thorough job of removing all the bacteria in your mouth, especially in the hard-to-reach crevices.

Rinsing

Mouthwash is one of the easiest way to regularly control the amount of bacteria found in the mouth. However, selecting the right kind of mouthwash is important. Natural mouthwashes, which don’t contain alcohol or other irritants, can be found over-the-counter, and contain ingredients like cinnamon oil, clove, tea tree oil, peppermint, and spearmint. Remember to choose a mouthwash that is not only designed for cosmetic purposes and minty breath, but which also kills bacteria and rinses away plaque.

Diet

While diet might not immediately come to mind when you consider oral and dental health, your diet actually plays a huge role in the amount of bacteria in your mouth. When you eat foods high in sugar, that sugar will be broken down by the bacteria in your mouth into acids, which can damage the enamel of your teeth and cause cavities. Soda, fruit juice, caramels, and candy are a few foods you will want to avoid.

Green Tea

For fans of natural remedies, green tea may be the perfect supplement to your professional dental care. Drinking green tea can go a long way toward improving your oral health. The frequent consumption of green tea helps promote healthy teeth and gums, reducing the risk of periodontal disease. Green tea’s beneficial properties come from its high levels of catechin, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation in the body, as well as bacteria in the mouth.

These home remedies are a great foundation for reducing harmful bacteria, but only professional dental care can give you the confidence that your mouth is truly bacteria free. Schedule an appointment with us today to keep your smile white and healthy.