Need Dental Health Tips? Try These
Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, there’s no better time to start caring for your teeth but now. Tooth decay progresses over time, but you don’t have to wait for it to get worse for you to start caring for your dental hygiene.
Even the simplest steps can go a long way in maintaining and keeping your teeth strong and healthy, so make sure to follow these tips.
Pick the right toothbrush.
It doesn’t help to brush regularly and properly if your toothbrush isn’t a high-quality one. Toothbrushes should be changed every 2-3 months and you just don’t pick any random brush near the counter. The right toothbrush should always have fine bristles so it can clean even the spaces between your teeth. Moreover, having fine bristles do not widen teeth gaps which give way for plaque to form.
It would also be better if the toothbrush you buy has a tongue scraper at the back. You can use this to remove the food and drink residue on your tongue.
Use a toothpaste rich in fluoride.
Fluoride is responsible for fighting off cavities according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Although it is found in the Earth’s crust, it is now often used on toothpaste to keep teeth clean and strong. What fluoride does is to help strengthen the teeth’s enamel so that it is able to ward off acids that eat away the enamel. If you want to have stronger teeth, using a fluoride-rich toothpaste is ideal.
Don’t forget to floss.
The right way to care for your teeth is to floss regularly the same way that you brush regularly. Brushing and flossing should be a package deal because flossing makes sure that it removes what brushing wasn’t able to remove especially in the spaces of your teeth.
There’s a right way to floss and before you start doing it, you have to know how to properly do it to avoid damage to your gums and teeth. Start with getting 18 inches of floss and wrapping the two ends on both of your index fingers. Then angle it at 45 degrees when you rub it against your teeth. When you rub, the motion should be similar to a ‘C’ shape.
Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes.
Alcohol is rich in acids that can cause your teeth to experience decay. The same goes for cigarettes. If you want to care for your teeth, one of the things you should stop doing is smoking and drinking lots of alcohol. Sure, doing so occasionally isn’t so bad, but if it becomes a habit, it will no longer just affect your teeth and gums. It can also affect your whole well-being.
Visit your dentist regularly.
The only professional that will help you get the facts about your dental health is a dentist. As compared to doctors, more children and adults are afraid of dentists. This might be because of the uncomfortable feeling of opening your mouth wide for a long time while the dentist pushes tools into your mouth. It isn’t a pleasant feeling at all. However, a regular visit to the dentist is necessary if you want to get an assessment of your teeth.
Knowing the current state of your teeth and gums will help you prepare for any diseases in the future and to start looking at prevention methods if ever your teeth are showing signs of decay.
Know the symptoms of tooth decay.
Tooth decay is a common dental problem, but the good thing about it is it doesn’t happen immediately. Knowing how to watch out for tooth decay will help you identify the gravity of the damage. Some symptoms of tooth decay are frequent toothaches, tooth sensitivity, and stain-like appearance of the teeth. When you notice your teeth to have these “stains”, it shows that the enamel is slowly getting eaten up by acids. It would be better to consult your dentist immediately so that the damage doesn’t persist.
Following these few tips can already help you get better dental hygiene and health. Although some are fairly simple, they have a huge impact on your teeth. It’s better that for these tips you do them regularly until you make a habit of off it. After all, dental care is a part of one’s health and well-being.
