Protect Your Teeth for a Lifetime with These Dental Hygiene Habits
Once your baby teeth have all been replaced, your adult teeth need to last you a lifetime. Without teeth, the entire digestive system is affected.
Even people who were diligent about brushing in their childhood and early adulthood can sometimes let their dental hygiene slip by the wayside as the years go on. This can quickly lead to decay, infection, and ongoing pain.
Apart from the practical disadvantages of having unhealthy teeth, it also negatively impacts a person’s confidence in their appearance. If you want to keep your teeth strong and healthy for as long as possible, keep reading.
Table of Contents
Know How to Brush Properly
The first and most obvious way to protect your teeth is to brush them correctly so they are kept clean. The best technique involves:
- Using a soft-bristled brush with fluoride toothpaste.
- Brushing twice a day and for two minutes each time. You may be tempted to brush many more times throughout the day, but excessive brushing can gradually wear down the outer layer of the teeth.
- Being gentle when you brush. Brushing too hard or with a toothbrush that’s too firm can also strip away enamel.
- Avoid acidic or sugary food or drink immediately before brushing your teeth. The motion and friction of brushing can work the acid into the tooth, causing damage. Rinse your mouth with milk or water to get rid of the acid before brushing.
Attend Your Appointments
Even if you dislike going to the dentist or the orthodontist, it is important to make and stick to your appointments. This is the best way to catch potential problems early before they become serious.
Professionals in the field, such as the-oakwoodclinic.co.uk, can help you identify and solve your concerns to keep your teeth in good order. If you neglect to attend your checkups, you may develop more complex issues that are harder to address.
Choose a trustworthy dentist and orthodontist so you feel reassured that you will get the best possible care.
Adjust Your Eating and Drinking Habits
If you want to avoid developing issues with your dental hygiene, you will need to ensure that your diet is tailored for maximum health. Here is a list of foods and drinks that are considered good for your teeth:
- Crunchy vegetables
- Milk
- Green or black tea
- Water
- Yogurt
- Foods high in fiber
Remember that saliva production is a big part of how the mouth naturally regulates, so eating meals is the best time to enjoy something sugary since the additional saliva will help to clean up the potentially harmful chemicals.
Treat Your Teeth Kindly
Misusing your teeth will eventually take its toll on your dental health. Biting objects that are too hard or using your teeth to open containers can chip the protective enamel or even break your tooth entirely.
Treat your teeth gently, and don’t bite into something if you aren’t sure your teeth are strong enough.
Teeth are such a precious part of the body, and taking care of them helps to keep other aspects of your well-being in good shape.
Use the above advice to alter your habits and make better decisions so that you can continue to enjoy healthy teeth long into the future.
About The Author:
Emma Clarke is a dentist by profession and an aspiring writer. She reads a lot and loves dissecting philosophical observations on classic films.