Your oral health is one of the most important aspects of your overall health. Many different conditions can be linked to oral health, and bad oral health has the potential to make some of them worse. In addition to that, bad oral health can lead to bad breath, stained teeth, and many other things that most people want to avoid.
As a result, taking care of your teeth is very important if you want them to remain healthy as you age. Unfortunately, not everyone is great at keeping their teeth healthy. It is often disregarded or forgotten about when it shouldn’t be.
With that in mind, this article is going to go over some best practices for keeping your teeth healthy.
Go to the Dentist
Perhaps the single best thing you can do for your teeth is to go to the dentist. Most people should be going to the dentist at least once or twice a year. They will help clean your teeth, as well as address any potential concerns. This meeting with your dentist can also be a great chance to ask questions or get feedback about your oral health-related habits.
Dentists are also crucial for finding and dealing with cavities and generally helping people stay on the right track to healthy teeth. While everyone should go to the dentist, a large portion don’t because of the costs. Thankfully, if you get the right dental insurance, it can help cover it and make sure you can visit the dentist affordably to keep your teeth in great shape.
Brush and Floss Regularly
In between visits to the dentist, the best thing you can for your oral health is to brush and floss regularly. You should be brushing your teeth twice a day and should aim to floss once a day. Use toothpaste with fluoride, and choose strong floss that won’t break off between your teeth.
Ensure you are brushing correctly, too. You should brush for two minutes, and ensure that you aren’t brushing too hard. All of your movements should be smooth and gentle, as brushing too hard can actually hurt or aggravate the gums. Also, don’t hesitate to add in some mouthwash for even more results, as well.
Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks
What you eat and drink are very important to oral health. In general, it is food or drinks with a lot of sugar that can be the worst for your teeth. This is because bacteria in the plague end up using this sugar to attack the enamel, which is a very important part of your teeth. This sugar also attracts bad bacteria to your mouth.
While a sugary snack every now and then should be okay, be careful not to overdo it. In addition to avoiding sugary foods and drinks, you should make an effort to drink a lot of water during the day. Water is not only great for your body, but it can also wash away things that could potentially damage your teeth.
Be Careful About Staining
Another issue to keep an eye out for is staining. Everyone wants their teeth to remain healthy and pearly white, but this is often easier said than done. This is especially true if you drink coffee, red wine, soda, or other beverages or foods that can stain teeth.
While these can be enjoyed, it is better to drink them in one sitting, than constantly be sipping them all day and continuously exposing your teeth to them. Also, when you’re done drinking these beverages, always have some water afterwards to rinse out your mouth. Of course, there are ways to whiten your teeth, but it’s always a good option to avoid getting stains in the first place.
Avoid Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Smoking is not only one of the worst things you can do for your overall health, but also your oral health. Smoking can create plaque, hurt blood circulation, can lead to bad breath, stain teeth, and even lead to oral cancer.
In addition to smoking, you should also avoid chewing tobacco. It too can lead to cancer, and using chewing tobacco can also lead to receding gums, loose teeth, tooth decay, and potential sores in your mouth. Cavities can also be much more common amongst those who smoke or chew tobacco.
By abiding by these aforementioned best practices, you can ensure that your teeth are as healthy as possible.
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