Your teeth are vital to your well-being and play such a vital role in your day-to-day activities. From your appearance and confidence to breaking down the food you eat, oral health is crucial to your overall health. By not taking care of your teeth, you create a greater risk for tooth decay, bacterial infections, tooth sensitivity, and loss of jaw bone structure.
We all know to brush our teeth twice a day, however, there is a lot more we can do to keep our teeth healthy and pain-free for a lifetime.
Brush your teeth
Although this is a no brainer, it is amazing how many people neglect to brush their teeth at least twice a day. Even if you don’t use mouthwash or don’t floss, you NEED to brush them morning and night to clear away any food particles that are stuck in your teeth, brush away any plaque buildup and neutralize your mouth’s bacteria that contribute to bad breath.
To reduce the risk of sensitivity and gum recession, choose a soft bristle toothbrush or you can also opt for an electric toothbrush.
Bring your toothbrush to a 45-degree angle to your gums and brush in small, gentle circular motions. Spend about 45 seconds per “quadrant” of your mouth. Don’t forget to brush the inner surfaces of your teeth.
Floss
To effectively clean your teeth you can’t neglect to floss. All the spaces between your teeth as well as where the tooth attaches to the gums still harbour food even after brushing
If you don’t like the feeling of putting your hands in your mouth to floss, a great alternative are floss sticks which can be purchased at most drug stores.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash helps get ret rid of any remaining bacteria in your mouth after you brush and floss. It leaves your breath feeling and smelling fresh which is a los a benefit.
Avoid certain foods
You have chosen to eat healthily and avoid sugar which is great however certain foods can also cause damage to the enamel on your teeth.
Highly acidic foods and drinks such as lemon, limes, beets, and cabbage can alter the pH balance of your mouth and create a non-ideal environment for your teeth, damaging your tooth enamel and making them more vulnerable to stains.
One thing to remember is if food would stain a white shirt, it will stain your teeth. Unfortunately, that includes most peoples’ guilty pleasures such as red wine, chocolate, coffee, etc. Well, you can’t be expected to avoid every food that affects your teeth for the rest of your life, just be mindful about how much you consume and if possible, give your teeth a gentle brush or a quick rinse with water afterwards.
Don’t forget to have regular checkups
It is important to see a dentist regularly to maintain a solid oral hygiene regimen. If you are not, you could be unaware of developing issues such as decay or the need for a filing. A dentist can let you know if you have plaque, cavities, gingivitis, or more serious issues and take preventative measures to avoid them becoming bigger problems later on.
Dentists can also provide you with feedback on how to improve your oral hygiene routine. Since we can’t see into our own mouths the same way a dentist can, it’s essential to get a checkup at least once a year.
By following the above dental health tips, you should have a healthy smile for life and avoid unpleasant surprises at the dentist’s office!