If you have been seeking more ways to improve your oral health, there are many different practices that you can adopt. Here are two additional measures that you can add to your oral health regimen to help keep your mouth cleaner. One is conventional; the other is natural.

Use an oral irrigator after brushing and flossing.

After you have brushed in your usual manner and flossed with conventional string floss, you can use an oral irrigator to clean along your gum line and between your teeth. The oral irrigator uses a concentrated stream of water that can be directed to specific areas of your mouth to flush away particles of food, plaque and oral bacteria.

Some irrigation systems also have additional options that change the flow of the water to produce a massaging effect for the gums. A pulsating stream can be selected to stimulate the gum tissue, and a gentle flow can be selected for gums that are sensitive or inflamed.

Oral irrigators can help improve gum health as well as remove decay-causing substances from your mouth. These devices can be particular helpful for people who still have their wisdom teeth, since it may be difficult to clean around them with a brush or floss due to their location in the back of the mouth. The stream of water can even help clear away debris that is trapped between the gums and a partially erupted wisdom tooth.

Try oil pulling.

Oil pulling is a traditional practice that originated in ancient India. It involves moving edible oil around your oral cavity for about 20 minutes. As the oil touches the various surfaces within your mouth, it traps bacteria. Once trapped, the collected microbes are discarded when the oil is released from your mouth.

Instead of performing  oil pulling after brushing and flossing, the practice should be completed beforehand. In fact, it is best to oil pull upon waking in the morning before you have ingested any foods or drinks.

After the oil has been discarded from the oral cavity, you should rinse your mouth thoroughly. Then, you can brush your teeth with your conventional toothpaste and floss in the usual manner.

Practically any oil that is healthy and edible can be used for oil pulling. Many people prefer readily available oils, such as olive oil, coconut oil or sesame oil.

To learn more ways to improve the health of your teeth and gums, schedule a consultation with a family dentist in your area.

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