5 Best Ways to Maintain Oral Hygiene If You Are a Smoker

One of the perils of smoking is that the effects start showing sooner or later. The color and the texture of your lips change, and so does your teeth. Also, it can lead to increased chances of tooth decay, oral infections, periodontal diseases etc. Here are some of the best ways you can maintain your oral hygiene when you are a smoker:

1. Brush More Often – Smokers have twice as high chance of getting gum diseases as opposed to non-smokers. Hence, practicing basic oral hygiene is one of the ways to tackle it. The only catch here is to do it extra. Opt for a special toothpaste that helps you help for healthy gums. Make sure that the toothpaste is anti-fluoride and offers additional antibacterial properties. Brush after your meals in addition to twice a day and your gums will be strong and disease-free.

2. Avoid Certain Food and Drinks – Another rule of the thumb is avoid certain food and drinks that are laced with high acid content. These include but are not limited coffee, tea, curries, pasta or dark sauces, soda etc. These not only stain your teeth further, but also erode your enamel and pave the way for tooth decay. If you can’t just cut these off, at least reduce their intake by a large margin.

3. Include Certain Food – Just like you need to cut down on certain food, you can also add some other food to your diet. This includes dairy products such as cheese as well as green and leafy vegetables such as kale, broccoli as these are loaded with calcium, vitamins and minerals.

4. Clean the Tongue – Cleaning the tongue is another given when it comes to maintaining the oral hygiene for a smoker. This is due to the fact that cigarettes lead to a rise in the amounts of bacteria in the mouth. Hence, it often leads to bad breath, a buildup on the tongue’s surface and can lead to many oral health issues. Invest in a tongue cleaner and do not forget to clean the tongue thoroughly.

5. Choose Dental Cleanings – Regular dental cleanings is one of the mainstays when it comes to maintaining your oral health. Choose the best dentist who can thoroughly clean your teeth at certain intervals to ensure that your teeth are healthy and strong.

Smoking is a personal habit and it is difficult for most to kick the butt. But with these tips in tow, you can at least aim for a great oral hygiene. Have more tips to share? Do write to us in the comments.