Our teeth allow us to eat and talk in comfort, giving us a perfect smile. However, how do we look after them and keep them strong and functioning correctly? Oral care and maintenance are simple, and yet we often over-complicate things.
By going back to basics and understanding what we do and why, you can improve your routine, strengthen your teeth, and keep them healthy.
Brush Brush, Floss Floss
We all brush our teeth at least once a day. Ideally, after every meal would be the ultimate time to brush your teeth, but this is not always possible. Brushing twice a day should be the minimum.
However, brushing alone is not enough. Ensuring you use the right toothbrush and toothpaste will set you on the right path. Using a fluoride paste will help to strengthen your teeth’s enamel. This is particularly important if there is low fluoride in your drinking water.
Speak to your dental team about whether a hard or softer bristle toothbrush is better. The wrong one can wear away the enamel faster, leading to more problems. Flossing helps to remove the food stuck in between teeth and hard-to-reach places. The proper technique will ensure you promote gum health and remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria build-up.
Don’t leave out your tongue. Plaque can build up on the surface of your tongue just as quickly as it does on your teeth. So please give it a quick once over each time you brush to help prevent build-up.
The most important time to brush, especially for children, is before bed. Otherwise, sugars and acids from foods and drinks take over and work hard to destroy the teeth as you sleep.
Taking care of your mouth is essential, but remember to take care of your dental tools, too. When your toothbrush starts to look worn, replace it.
“Lettuce” Celebrate
A healthy lifestyle is, well, healthy. Yet the benefits don’t stop at weight loss and muscle tone. A healthier lifestyle will also benefit your teeth, which will then help to improve and maintain your overall health.
Changing your diet — even making small ones — will significantly impact your oral health. From eating more crunchy fruits and vegetables to quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol, this will lead to wear and tear on the teeth and be better for you.
Crunchy foods such as carrots and apples not only help remove plaque and bacteria as you eat but may also naturally help whiten teeth.
By quitting smoking and reducing your alcohol intake, you prevent harmful chemicals, sugars, and acids from eating away at your teeth. The long-term benefits to your lungs and liver also should not be overlooked. You should also avoid recreational drugs as they can have the same impact on your teeth and health as smoking and alcohol.
Medicate and Meditate
If you have an underlying health concern, you are probably taking medications. Some of these, or the right combination of different ones, can lead to dry mouth. This lack of saliva can be detrimental to your oral health.
If this is something that you encounter, you should talk to your doctor about whether or not you can make any changes to avoid this while still getting the life-saving medication you need.
When this is not possible, try to stay as hydrated as possible. Replacing the lost moisture in your mouth will help protect the teeth and improve oral health. Hydration also benefits the whole body. As a rule, you should consume eight glasses of water daily.
If you have diabetes, it’s essential to ensure you control your sugar levels. Doing this makes your gums healthier, with improved blood flow and less sugar in the bloodstream. In turn, this ensures your teeth are cared for inside and out.
If you notice a change in taste or smell coming from your mouth, you should see your doctor and dentist as soon as possible. This change could be an indication of a problem developing.
It’s Always Nice to See You and Your Smile
Routine check-ups with your dentist help to keep your oral health in check. The more your dental team gets to know you and your teeth, the easier it is for them to spot changes that could lead to something developing.
Even with the best care routine at home, your dental team can use X-rays to see hidden issues. A dental hygienist can do a deep clean, removing bacteria build-up in the gum lines, stubborn plaque and tartar build-up on hard-to-reach teeth.
Should you wear dentures or have implants, you should see your dental team at least once a year. Ongoing examinations help ensure they are still holding up the way they were designed to.
Your check-up appointment is also a great time to talk to your dentist about your home care routine and find out if there is anything you could or should be doing. They will also assess your teeth to ensure they are strong and healthy. They may recommend extra steps that will help to boost what you are doing.
Start Strong and Keep Going
We are taught how to clean and check our teeth as young kids. These habits help us going into adulthood. By keeping oral health care simple, you can ensure your teeth are strong and healthy for life.
With a good brush, toothpaste and floss, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to ensure your teeth are correctly looked after. You can do it at home instead of at the dentist’s office. Make sure to check your gums and teeth while brushing, and call your dentist if you have any concerns.
Regarding Teeth Cleaning, Mississauga, Bristol Dental will ensure a deep clean is done. You will obtain the support you need to care for your teeth properly. Call today at 1-866-673-2109 to speak to our team, book a cleaning, or you can schedule an online appointment on our website.
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