We know that we need to clean our teeth twice a day, but it turns out that not everyone does this. In fact, only 69% of Americans clean their teeth twice a day. The good news is that looking after your teeth isn’t much work. There are procedures such as Invisalign and regular dental appointments that can help.
Let’s take a closer look at how you and your family can look after your teeth so they look good for longer:
See Your Dentist Every 6 Months
No matter how much you hate visiting your dentist, you should see them at least once every six months. This is because your dentist can spot any issues that you might have. In addition to this, they can also give you advice about how you can take even better care of your teeth. Did you know that some health insurance companies will allow you to have more frequent checks? This means you can keep on top of your health. You can also rest assured that your teeth look as good as possible.
Were you aware that there are two types of dentists that treat dental health conditions in different ways? A general dentist tends to focus on adult teeth and their dental health conditions. A pediatric dentist focuses on children’s teeth and some children that have both baby and adult teeth. Dentists can be scary for children. A pediatric dentist knows how to work with children and make them feel comfortable. See more here regarding a pediatric dentist.
Always Brush Before you go to Sleep
You need to brush your teeth before you go to sleep as it will help to eliminate germs. In addition to this, brushing before bed can help to get rid of the plaque that can build-up during the day.
Think of all that food you have consumed during the day, some of it will still be on your teeth. You need to brush your teeth before you go to bed to get rid of that food.
You’ll also feel so much better when your mouth is clean at bedtime. An added bonus is that it can improve your morning breath.
Brushing Correctly
When you brush your teeth, you should ideally take your time. Don’t rush as you won’t just neglect some of your teeth, but you could also hurt your gums. Move the toothbrush in a circular motion gently. This motion will help to remove any plaque that has built-up.
While you might have to spend more time brushing your teeth if you do it correctly, your mouth could be a lot healthier. If you’re not sure how long you should spend brushing your teeth, here’s an easy solution: While you brush, sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself at least once, maybe twice. When you do this, you’ll be brushing your teeth for the correct amount of time.
Wisdom teeth are often difficult to brush and floss correctly. Therefore, they may cause problems including wisdom tooth pain, and dental infections. If you are having tooth pain you may need a wisdom tooth consultation to discuss if your wisdom teeth need to be removed.
Don’t Forget to Floss
Flossing is important as it can remove those little pieces of food your toothbrush didn’t pick up. In addition to this, flossing can also help to reduce inflammation and reduce plaque. Flossing once a day is enough to help remove those leftover bits of food. Your mouth is also likely to feel so much fresher.
If you’re having trouble flossing, look for some dental flossers that are easy to use. They can make it easier if you have arthritis, or you struggle to floss for any other reason. If you experience bleeding or gum pain while flossing, book a consultation with the Premiere Family Dental Care dentist for more information.
Drink More Water
A great way for you to look after your teeth is to drink more water. Water is not only great at keeping you hydrated, but it can also help to improve the health of your teeth. This is because water helps to flush away acidity and sticky leftover bits of food.
If you tend to drink acidic beverages, you’ll also find water will help to wash away the acidity. Your mouth will also feel a little better.
Reduce your Intake of Sugary Foods
One of the best ways to look after your teeth is to reduce your intake of sugary foods. This is because when sugar gets into your mouth, it turns into an acid. The acid can start to erode teeth enamel. When this occurs, you could find yourself with more cavities, needing to visit the dentist more often.
You can reduce the impact that the acid has on your teeth by cutting down on the sugar you consume. You do not have to avoid consuming sugary foods entirely. You should just keep your intake down.
In addition to this, try to reduce your intake of acidic drinks such as fruit juice and coke, for example. These drinks can also ensure you have more acid in your mouth. As we have already seen, this can lead to more cavities.
Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash can help to keep your teeth healthy as it can reduce the amount of acid in your mouth. In addition to this, the mouthwash can also help to reach those areas that your toothbrush can’t. Mouthwash can also help your gums to stay healthy and improve the health of your teeth.
Mouthwash is also ideal for use if you struggle to floss. Some brands are better than others when it comes to protecting sensitive teeth. Ask your dentist to recommend a brand of mouthwash if you’re not sure which one you should use.
As you can see, there are some relatively easy ways for you to look after your teeth. Always brush your teeth before you go to sleep. Brush correctly and make sure you floss. If you cannot floss, consider using mouthwash. Don’t forget to see your dentist at least every six months. Drink more water and reduce your intake of sugary foods. If you can do all of this, you’re much more likely to have healthy teeth that look good.
Featured Image by Jenny Friedrichs from Pixabay