4 Great Ways to Take Care of Your Dental Health
- Written by Chloe Taylor
Would you like to have a perfect smile? You’re definitely not the only one. Most of us would do whatever necessary to have those pearly whites. However, other than the esthetics of it, what we really want is to have healthy teeth and gums. While it isn’t always possible to prevent everything that can go wrong with our dental health, we’re not completely helpless in maintaining it. In fact, there are many things we can do to improve our dental health. Here are some of the most important ones.
Brush Properly
The first oral-health advice you usually hear is that you have to brush your teeth regularly, which is at least twice a day and for three minutes each time. And while this cannot be stressed enough, there’s another aspect to brushing your teeth. Aside from brushing them frequently, it’s essential that you brush them the right way. Avoid the up-and-down movements while brushing your teeth and start brushing in circular motions, as this is how you remove plaque most efficiently. It’s also important that you brush the back of your teeth and your back teeth well, not just the front. Another valuable piece of advice is not to brush your teeth immediately after consuming acidic foods and drinks, as they soften your tooth enamel temporarily, making it more sensitive. Unless you wait half an hour or so before brushing, you might end up scraping off some of the enamel, which is bad for your teeth in the long run. Plus, don’t forget to brush your tongue as well, as that way you’ll lower the chances of mouth odor and various other dental issues.
Never Skip Checkups
Seeing your dentist twice a year is highly recommended, even when you don’t think there’s anything wrong. Your dentist will monitor you for any visual changes on your gums and teeth, so that they catch any problems in their early stage. Whether it’s cavities, gum disease or something more serious, like mouth cancer, you’ll want to know about it as early as possible. A dental professional will also clean your teeth if necessary, removing the plaque and any hardened tartar on them. Of course, if you feel any pain or discomfort between checkups, you shouldn’t wait months to pass, but make an appointment straight away. In case you lose any of your teeth, your dentist won't be the only person you’ll have to depend on. In fact, a reliable dental laboratory might be even more authoritative in such an event. This is why it’s crucial that you inquire about which laboratory your dentist works with. You’ll want one that hires the most experienced dental technicians out there and that offers just the kind of restorative solutions you need, from implants to crown and bridge to dentures and aligners.
Floss Often
Although most of us are aware that flossing is a vital part of our oral hygiene, it’s not uncommon for people to forget or simply omit this step for days or weeks at a time. In fact, there are people who don’t floss at all and those who think that flossing only comes down to dislodging that annoying piece of meat stuck between your teeth after lunch. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Aside from removing the food debris, flossing also helps eliminate the plaque and bacteria between your teeth, which your toothbrush sometimes simply can’t reach. These can promote bad breath, but also buildups of bacteria, which can lead to other oral-health issues. Flossing once a day is probably enough for most people. However, if you’ve noticed tartar building up on your teeth or you’ve had gum disease before, perhaps flossing twice a day is a better choice for you.
Make Some Lifestyle Adjustments
Your dental health is tightly connected to your overall well-being, which means that your lifestyle affects it greatly. For instance, if you’re a smoker or you enjoy alcohol on a regular basis, you’re increasing the risk of periodontal disease and oral cancer. Similarly, if you drink a lot of coffee, tea, sweetened juices and sodas, you’re endangering your dental health. For instance, soda is thought to erode the protective enamel layer of your teeth by decreasing the pH level in your mouth and softening the enamel. Plus, the acidity of these drinks can enhance the possibility of developing tooth decay. As far as coffee and tea are concerned, they tend to stain teeth, since they contain certain ingredients which lead to teeth discoloration. An excessive amount of candy can also have a negative effect on your dental health, so try to limit their intake. On the other hand, your teeth can benefit from calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products, various seeds, beans, lentils and almonds. Plus, a healthy and balanced diet can improve your overall health, which can encourage better oral health as well.
Take control over your dental health by improving your oral hygiene and changing some of your habits for the better. That way you’ll know you’re taking all the precautions in order to protect yourself and your oral health.
