Your teeth are one of the most important parts of your body. Without them, you would be unable to consume a healthy diet and they are a crucial element of communicating with others and expressing emotions. But it takes some work to look after them. You have to keep them clean in order to ensure their longevity, which is made harder by the fact that they are constantly in contact with sticky and acidic foods.
If you don’t take care to maintain your dental hygiene, you risk succumbing to oral health issues like plaque buildup, gum disease, decay, and eventually tooth loss. The last thing you want is a gappy smile or brown, rotting teeth.
Of course there are cosmetic dental treatments like veneers, bridges, dentures, and teeth whitening, but for these to be necessary then there must be something wrong. The best course of action is to take better care of your oral health, so that further treatment is not needed at all.
So to help you retain your winning smile well into old age, here are five tips for maintaining your dental hygiene.
Floss
Everyone knows that you need to brush your teeth twice a day, but an important habit that many people neglect is flossing. In some ways, flossing is even more important than brushing as it targets hard-to-reach areas of your mouth where plaque can easily build up and cause further issues. Once a day is enough to ensure good oral health.
Drink water
It’s commonly advised that you should drink around two liters of water a day. Being hydrated is beneficial for all areas of your health, including your teeth. Drinking water helps to keep your mouth clean as it washes away bacteria and residue from sugary and acidic foods that can wear away at the enamel of your teeth.
Use an electric toothbrush
Manual toothbrushes have been around for hundreds of years, but the rise of the electric model was one of the greatest advances in dentistry. An electric toothbrush is considerably better at cleaning your teeth as the head rotates in order to clean the entire surface of each tooth. You are much less likely to experience issues like gum disease and tooth decay as your mouth will be pristine after each clean.
Watch your diet
Certain foods are terrible for your dental health, and sticky or acidic substances are the main offenders. Although there’s nothing wrong with the occasional treat, try to limit things like sweets and fizzy drinks which will rapidly wear away your enamel.
Get a checkup
If you have a dental health issue, it may not be immediately obvious when you look in the mirror. Once the symptoms make themselves clear, it might be too late to restore the damage. A dentist will be able to spot any red flags as soon as they peer into your mouth, so it is a good idea to get a checkup every six months. Not only can they spot and treat potential problems, but they will also offer advice on the best way to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
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