Here’s an interesting fact: according to VC Dental, on average, we spend 38 days in our lifetime brushing our teeth, the one part of your body that does not have the mechanism to repair itself.
Dental care and the costs associated with addressing dental issues are increasingly becoming a challenge. In this article, we discuss 6 ways to take care of your teeth in detail. The good news is, with these measures, you’ll cut down the cost of maintaining your dental health and enjoy optimal oral health. For more on the subject, read on!
1. Visit the Dentist for Cleaning and Checkup
You should visit the dentist for a cleaning and checkup at least once a year. This is one of the best 6 ways to take care of your teeth and keep them healthy. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that can cause cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Tartar is a hardened plaque that can only be removed by a professional. The dentist will clean your teeth and remove any plaque or tartar buildup. Your dentist will also polish your teeth to remove any surface stains. They’ll also floss your teeth to remove any plaque and bacteria that brushing alone can’t reach. A dental cleaning is an important part of keeping your mouth healthy and your teeth looking their best.
They’ll also check for any cavities or other problems. If they find anything, they will recommend appropriate treatment. Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which occurs when the enamel of your tooth starts to break down. This can happen because of poor dental hygiene, eating sugary foods, or drinking acidic beverages. If you have a cavity, it’s important to get it treated as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the damage will be. Treatment for a cavity can involve getting a filling, which involves the dentist filling the hole in your tooth with a material similar to your tooth. If the cavity is large, you may need a crown, which involves the dentist covering your tooth with a fake tooth.
Dental implants are another great way to take care of your teeth. These implants replace missing teeth and help keep your mouth healthy. There are several things to keep in mind as you explore this option with your dentist. First, dental implants are a surgical procedure. This means there is some risk involved, and you’ll need to be sure you’re comfortable with the risks before proceeding. Second, implants are not cheap. It can be a significant investment, so you’ll need to be sure you’re prepared to make this investment. Third, implants require a commitment to oral care. You’ll need to brush and floss regularly, and you may need to see your dentist more often for checkups and cleanings.
Braces are also a good option for taking care of your teeth. They can help to straighten your teeth and make them look better. Dentists often recommend braces for people with misaligned teeth or jaws, and they can also help with overcrowding. Braces can also improve your oral health by making it easy to brush and floss your teeth. They can also help to prevent cavities and gum disease. Without a doubt, regular dental visits are among the best 6 ways to take care of your teeth.
2. Brush and Floss Your Teeth
Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is also among the 6 ways to take care of your teeth. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is important for your overall dental health. It helps prevent bad breath and can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. There are several things you can do to make sure you’re brushing your teeth correctly. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste containing fluoride. Remember to brush all the surfaces of your teeth, including the front, back, and top. Spit out the toothpaste after brushing. Plaque can also accumulate on the tongue. This can lead to bad breath and other oral health issues. Every time you clean your teeth, gently brush your tongue as well.
You should also floss your teeth every day. This has many benefits. First, it removes plaque and bacteria from between your teeth and along your gum line, which can prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Second, flossing massages your gums, which can improve circulation and reduce inflammation. This process also freshens your breath by removing food particles and bacteria that cause bad breath and makes your teeth look and feel cleaner and brighter. To floss your teeth, use dental floss or an interdental cleaner.
Finally, use mouthwash to remove food particles and bacteria that brushing and flossing can’t reach. This prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Choose a mouthwash that contains fluoride to protect your teeth from cavities and follow the directions on the mouthwash label. Remember to rinse your mouth with water after using mouthwash. Now, you can see why we’ve included mouthwash as one of the 6 ways to take care of your teeth.
3. Drinking Plenty of Clean Water
Drinking plenty of clean water will keep your teeth healthy and strong. Water can help take care of your teeth in a number of ways. Your saliva is responsible for keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Water keeps your mouth hydrated, promoting saliva production. This helps fight off bacteria and keeps your teeth and gums lubricated. If you’re not drinking enough water, your saliva can become too thick and unable to do its job properly. Make sure your drinking water has gone through water treatment systems by a reputable water treatment company.
Whenever you eat or drink, bits of food and bacteria are left behind on your teeth. Drinking water after meals can help rinse them away and keep them from turning into plaque. Water also helps to dilute the acids that are produced by the bacteria in your mouth, which can help to prevent cavities. Of the 6 ways to take care of your teeth, drinking plenty of water is the cheapest, yet it’s loaded with benefits.
4. Avoid Sugary Drinks and Foods
Of the 6 ways to take care of your teeth, avoiding sugary foods and drinks calls for discipline and self-control. Sugary drinks, such as soda, juice, and sports drinks, can cause cavities. They contain high levels of sugar and acid that can damage your teeth. It’s best to avoid sugary drinks altogether, or at least limit your intake. Drinking bottled water rather than sugary drinks will do wonders for your health.
Sugary foods, such as candy, cookies, and cake, can also cause cavities. They contain high levels of sugar that can stick to your teeth and cause decay. It’s best to limit your intake of sugary foods or avoid them altogether. Sugar can cause cavities, contribute to gum disease, cause tooth decay, lead to tooth sensitivity, cause an increase in plaque buildup, and worsen existing dental conditions.
There are certain foods that are good for your teeth, such as cheese, milk, and yogurt. These foods contain calcium, which helps strengthen your teeth. They also neutralize the acids in your mouth that can damage your teeth. A healthy diet reduces your craving for more sugary foods and enhances the results of your 6 ways to take care of your teeth.
5. Don’t smoke
If you’re a smoker, you probably already know that smoking is terrible for your health. But did you know that smoking is also terrible for your teeth? Among the 6 ways to take care of your teeth, trying to stop smoking is perhaps the most beneficial for those who smoke. While most people find it a difficult habit to kick, the benefits associated with quitting smoking are worth the effort, and the dangers of smoking are exhaustively documented.
For instance, if you smoke, your teeth will become stained with nicotine and tar. These stains can be difficult to remove and make your teeth look yellow and unhealthy, and that’s not the half of it. There are a few ways to clean your teeth of smoking stains. You can brush your teeth with toothpaste designed to remove stains, or you can use whitening toothpaste. Try using a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid irritating your gums.
Your mouth needs saliva to stay healthy, but smoking reduces saliva production. This can lead to dry mouth, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. First, try to drink more water throughout the day. You can also try sucking on hard candy or chewing gum to stimulate saliva production. Finally, avoid caffeine and alcohol as well, as these can also contribute to dry mouth.
Smoking increases your risk of gum disease, which is simply described as an infection of the gums. Smoking is also a major risk factor for tooth loss. In fact, smokers are four times more likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers. Some possible remedies include quitting smoking and using dental implants, dentures, and/or bridges.
Smoking is a major risk factor for oral cancer, which affects the mouth or throat. Oral cancer can be deadly. Some potential treatments for oral cancer caused by smoking may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or targeted therapy. Urgent care is vital if this is your case.
Smoking also causes bad breath. Try to cut back on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day. Smoke after meals instead of before. This will give your mouth time to recover from the smoke and reduce the amount of tar and nicotine left on your teeth and tongue. Brush your teeth and floss daily. Additionally, using a tongue scraper or mouthwash designed specifically for smokers can assist in removing any lingering odor.
6. Don’t Use Your Teeth As Tools
Using your teeth as tools is one of the worst things you can do for your oral health. When you use your teeth to open bottles, tear off tags, or even bite your nails, you’re putting unnecessary stress on them. This can lead to chips, cracks, and even breakage. Among the 6 ways to take care of your teeth, this is one of the most straightforward, but it will surely help you out. Here are five tips to help you avoid using your teeth as tools:
- Keep a multi-tool on hand. A multi-tool is a small, handheld tool that includes a variety of functions, like a knife, pliers, and a screwdriver. Having one of these on hand will help you resist the temptation to use your teeth when you need to open something.
- Keep your nails trimmed. If you’re in the habit of biting your nails, you’re more likely to use your teeth as tools. Keep your nails trimmed and filed so that you’re less tempted to bite them.
- Be careful with hard candy. Hard candy can be tempting to bite, but it’s also hard on your teeth. If you must have hard candy, eat it in moderation and be sure to brush your teeth afterward.
- Avoid ice. Chewing on ice is one of the worst things you can do for your teeth. It can cause chips, cracks, and even breakage. If you’re tempted to chew on ice, try sucking on ice chips instead.
- Don’t use your teeth as a bottle opener. Use a bottle opener instead to avoid putting unnecessary stress on your teeth.
These tips are your sure partner in embracing the 6 ways to take care of your teeth in a pragmatic sense. If you have suffered tooth breakages in the past, you may need a rehabilitation service done on your gums and teeth to avoid further dental stress.
Healthy teeth require a lifetime of care. Don’t let those compliments you’ve received about your teeth make you slacken in your dental care routine. These 6 ways to take care of your teeth have been scientifically tested. If you practice them, they’ll put you on the way to achieving your dental goals. You’ll be doing yourself a favor by practicing preventive dental care for your overall health and image as discussed above. Contact us today for any concerns about your teeth.