Having good oral health is vital to your overall wellbeing. When you have functional teeth, you can easily chew all types of food. Talking, laughing, and smiling are slowly dependent on the condition of your teeth and mouth.
If you don’t take proper care of your teeth, you become more susceptible to cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. Gum disease usually causes bone loss around the teeth if left untreated. On its part, tooth decay often results in tooth loss.
Luckily, it is easy to keep your mouth and teeth healthy. Read on to discover how you can take better care of your teeth.
Brush Regularly
Ensure that you brush your teeth at least twice daily. Dentists recommend brushing after taking your breakfast and before you go to bed.
When brushing, it is essential to use the correct technique. Place the toothbrush at an angle such that it touches teeth and gums. Do circular movements on either side of each tooth, as well as the biting surface. Don’t forget to brush your tongue thoroughly.
It’s also essential to avoid being too aggressive on your teeth when brushing. Applying too much force removes dirt, but it also damages the enamel and hurts the gums. This can cause further complications such as gum erosion and tooth sensitivity.
Floss Daily
Your toothbrush bristles don’t often reach between the teeth. This is where flossing comes in handy, as it gets rid of bacteria and plaque stuck between the teeth. Besides reducing the risk of cavities, it also prevents bad breath caused by the food that remains.
Once you get the string between the teeth, move them gently up and down until all plaque is removed. Avoid snapping, as this can cause pain.
Visit the Dentist Regularly
Some dental complications are only noticeable by an expert, which is why you need to visit a dentist at least once every six months. Such issues include the structural strength of your teeth and symptoms of oral cancer and other infections.
Moreover, some conditions like hardened tartar require special equipment to treat. This further underpins the importance of regular dental appointments. As such, we recommend that you make sure to go for a dental check up at a cosmetic dentist in batavia IL.
Avoid Smoking
Tobacco products contain tar which causes tooth discolouration. Also, smoking affects your immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight infections, including those that hurt your oral health.
According to the CDC, smoking also increases the risk of gum disease. Smokers are likely to recover slower than non-smokers if they contract this infection.
Other adverse effects of smoking include darkening of the lips, tongue discolouration, and bad breath.
Avoid Sugary Foods and Beverages
Sugary foods increase the risk of cavities. It is the bacteria in plaque that converts this sugar into acid, eating away your enamel. For this reason, you should limit your consumption of sweets and processed foods.
Additionally, you should also regulate your sports and energy drink intake, as they have a similar effect. Instead, drink a lot of water. Alternatively, you can take unsweetened tea.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride helps prevent cavities, which is why it’s an ingredient in most toothpaste brands. However, not all oral hygiene products contain this substance.
It is advisable always to use toothpaste that contains fluoride. Research shows that brushing and flossing can’t prevent cavities if your toothpaste doesn’t have fluoride.
Furthermore, you need to be keen while brushing your teeth to make the most of the fluoride. After brushing, spit out but don’t rinse to allow the fluoride to stay in the mouth for longer.
Take Action Quickly
Sometimes, you might notice a complication once it starts showing its symptoms. When such happens, ensure that you visit the dentist immediately. Waiting worsens the condition, and you might end paying more than you would have if you contacted the doctor sooner.
Most treatment options like fillings and root canals are readily available upon request. Cosmetic dentistry procedures, on the other hand, usually require special appointments.
Wrapping Up
Your smile is a valuable asset, which is why you need to keep your teeth sparkling white. By observing the practices mentioned above, you can maintain sound oral health. This not only reduces the need to see the dentists in Maroubra regularly, but it also saves you time and money.
