Do you take good care of your teeth?
We only get one set of adult teeth, so you need to protect them. Too many people neglect their dental health!
While tooth care is tedious (and sometimes expensive), leaving dental hygiene unchecked can lead to serious issues down the line. You can end up requiring costly dental procedures, experiencing dire physical health problems, or even losing all of your teeth.
We’re here to help you avoid those problems with a quick and handy guide on teeth care. Keep reading for our top oral hygiene tips.
1. Brush Twice Per Day (or More)
Do you brush your teeth as often as you should?
While we all know that we’re supposed to brush twice per day, it doesn’t always happen. Busy mornings and late nights out sometimes lead to unbrushed teeth.
Nights out are the worst offenders here. If you’ve been eating sugary snacks or drinking alcohol, you need to brush your teeth to keep them safe. Alcohol can cause your mouth to dry out while you sleep and help bacteria thrive.
If possible, brush after every meal. Some dentists recommend waiting after you eat to protect your enamel. Times range from fifteen minutes to a full hour.
You should also make sure that you’re brushing the right way.
You should brush your teeth the right way. You should be using fluoride toothpaste and brushing for about 2 minutes. If you struggle with this, consider playing a song while you brush.
Make sure that you replace your toothbrush every three to four months if you want it to be as effective as possible.
2. Never Forget to Floss
Speaking of brushing, do you floss your teeth? How often?
You’re supposed to floss at least once per day, though it’s helpful to floss after every meal. Even if you haven’t eaten solid food, you want to get rid of any grime or plaque that’s hiding between your pearly whites.
There are several ways to floss. You can use standard floss that comes on a roll, but you can also use floss picks. While picks might not be as good, they’re great for anyone who struggles to floss.
If you’re able, try to get a Waterpik. While they can’t replace your physical floss, Waterpiks make a great addition to your dental hygiene routine.
When you don’t floss, you allow bacteria to grow in your gums and between your teeth. This can lead to gum disease. Many people neglect flossing due to pain or bleeding, but these things are indications that you need to floss more often.
If you find that it’s too difficult to floss because your teeth are too crowded, it may be necessary to seek out orthodontic treatment. While treatment is expensive, it might prevent expensive dental procedures in the future and protect your overall oral health.
3. Get Regular Cleanings
You can have great dental hygiene and still need a professional cleaning from time to time.
There are things that you can’t do by yourself. When plaque turns into tartar, you’re no longer able to remove it. It’s hard enough that it requires more extreme tools and tactics to remove.
Leaving tartar buildup on your teeth can cause pockets in your gums. This can lead to gum disease, jaw problems, and tooth loss.
See a hygienist regularly so they can make your teeth feel shiny and new. Bonus: they can use fluoride gels to further protect your teeth between cleanings!
4. Change Your Diet
If you know that you struggle with your oral health and hygiene, consider altering your diet to protect your mouth.
It’s common knowledge that sugar is bad for your teeth. This doesn’t mean that you have to neglect your sweet tooth, just that you need to make some modifications.
If you’re eating sweets, opt for things that aren’t sticky. Chocolate, for example, isn’t as bad for your teeth as chewy candies.
Try to eat things that aren’t too acidic. Soda and citrus aren’t great for your teeth (but both are fine in moderation). Citrus is important for vitamin C, but make sure that you brush after eating it.
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is great for your health. They provide your body with vitamins and minerals to keep your teeth strong. Malnutrition can cause tooth loss and poor gum health, so make sure that your diet is on point.
5. Drink Enough Water
Speaking of your diet, do you drink enough water?
Water is crucial for our overall well-being, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s also important for your oral health. Healthy teeth are part of a healthy body!
Fluoridated water is great for your teeth, but even if you live in an area that doesn’t fluoridate your water, it’s still beneficial.
When you drink water after a meal, you get rid of some of the excess debris that was left in your mouth. You also hydrate your mouth, which stops plaque from building up.
6. See Your Dentist Twice Per Year
We already mentioned that you need to go in for a professional cleaning regularly, but you should also have routine dental visits twice per year.
Checkups are important even if you don’t think anything is wrong. When you get a checkup, your dentist may notice things that aren’t visible to you yet.
Early cavities, for example, don’t always cause pain. While you might not notice a cavity until it requires expensive help, your dentist will catch it early enough for a simple fix.
You can also get “teeth whitening near me” while you’re at the dentist! This way, your teeth can look shiny and stay healthy at the same time!
Protect Your Mouth with Proper Tooth Care
Paying attention to your tooth care is the best way to avoid expensive dentist’s visits. Keep your teeth healthy and clean and you’ll keep your pearly whites in great condition for decades to come!
You only get one set of adult teeth, so treat them right.
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