Good oral health can provide you with a number of valuable benefits. Aesthetically, good oral health means having healthy-looking teeth. Your teeth will stay whiter, brighter, and intact when you maintain your oral health through proper oral hygiene. Good oral health will also help you avoid pain from issues such as gum disease and decay. And, on a bigger scale, good oral health will help protect your overall health because the two are connected to one another. If you want to enjoy the long list of benefits that come with good oral health, there are four main steps you need to follow consistently.

Brush properly

It shouldn’t be a surprise to find that brushing is on the list of steps you need to follow for good oral health. But, in order to get the most from your brushing routine, you need to do more than just go through the motions. There is a way to brush properly that will maximize the benefits you receive from this habit. The type of toothbrush you use and the amount of time you spend brushing are two important elements to get right. In most situations, you should use a soft bristled brush. Using a medium or hard bristle brush can be harmful to your gums – especially if you have a tendency to brush too hard. The length of time you brush is also important. The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes twice per day. Following these guidelines while brushing is an important part of maintaining good oral health.

Floss consistently

Flossing is an important part of good oral health because it gets to areas of your mouth that brushing simply cannot reach. Food particles and bacteria can get stuck between your teeth and at the gumline. Eventually, these things will lead to decay and gum disease without intervention. Flossing consistently is a way to get those hard-to-reach places in your mouth clean. Flossing is an essential part of maintaining good oral health.

Eat a balanced diet

The foods that you eat (and those you don’t) have an impact on your oral health. A balanced diet full of nutritious foods will get your teeth the nutrients they need to remain healthy. On the other hand, a poor diet can erode your enamel and deprive your teeth of essential nutrients. When your teeth are missing those nutrients, they become more susceptible to damage and decay. Eating a balanced diet is good for both your oral and overall health.

Go to your preventative dental visits

Going to preventative dental visits is an essential part of maintaining good oral health. During preventative dental appointments you will have your teeth cleaned and examined. The cleaning you receive will remove plaque and tartar which are both difficult to remove on your own. It is during these visits that your dentist will look for signs of problems with your teeth or oral health. If any issues are discovered, you can have them treated early to prevent long-term problems.

The steps you need to follow for good oral health are not complicated. The hard part of this process for most people is consistency. In order to get the most benefit from these four steps you need to be consistent with your efforts. If you can make these behaviors habits in your life then you can enjoy good oral health and all of the benefits it provides.