We all know that toothache is one of the most distracting pains. It is a horrible and agonizing situation you will want to avoid at all costs, as otherwise, your life can end up extremely difficult. Knowing how to focus on your dental health can mean the difference between comfort and losing sleep.
For that reason, check out the following tips you can incorporate into your routine. They will ensure you avoid needing to do more at the dentist than “get a check-up”.
1. Brush Your Teeth
One of the most basic methods of ensuring you maintain your dental care regimen is to brush your teeth. You only need to brush twice a day, for about three minutes each time. Fluoride toothpaste also helps to ensure your teeth last a long time due to its ability to prevent tooth decay.
Your toothpaste does not have to be minty, white, or of a specific brand. You can also have a quick brush after sugary snacks or desserts if you feel more comfortable. So long as you brush once in the morning and once in the evening, you should see a long-lasting benefit.
2. Floss
Dental experts agree that once a day you should floss in addition to only brushing your teeth. This involves using a thin, specialized thread to scrape between teeth from top to bottom.
The action of moving the floss cleans areas of the teeth that brushing might not be able to reach, such as between the individual teeth. It can remove dental plaque and prevent other problems from building up that you may otherwise miss.
3. Use mouthwash
Expert dentists have recommended mouthwash for years now to help prevent tooth decay, but many people are using it wrong.
Do not use mouthwash straight away after brushing your teeth. Doing so runs the risk of washing away any fluoride deposits that remain to protect your teeth after brushing. Instead, use mouthwash after lunch or at another time of the day to rinse your mouth with its fluoride-enriched liquid.
Remember not to eat or drink after using a fluoride mouthwash. Thirty minutes should give it plenty of time to do its job before you have another snack.
4. Check Your Dental Health
There are no better experts on how to look after your teeth and gums than your local dentists. You should visit your dentist on a regular basis for a check-up, at least once a year or on a more regular basis in the case of children. Your kids should in-fact go twice every year to ensure their teeth are growing well for their age.
Dentists are not only for teeth either. If you do not have any natural teeth, or if you have dentures, you should still visit the dentist. Dentists focus on the entire mouth, meaning they are also able to check your gums and other sections of your mouth.
You should also ensure you visit the dentist straight away if something is wrong. Waiting could cause further problems.
5. Cut Down on Tobacco
You can damage your teeth with the continued use of tobacco products. This is not only smoking but also chewing. Vaping has also not had as much research performed on it, so it may still be a risk.
Tobacco reduces oxygen in your bloodstream and stimies the blood flow to your mouth after smoking. This can cause mouth ulcers or sores to take much longer to heal.
Also, you can exacerbate dental plaque by smoking, so gum disease and tooth decay both have increased risks in smokers.
Dentists will tell you to cut down, and it may be difficult, but the best thing you can do for your teeth if you are a smoker is quit. Many dentists will be able to give you advice on local help you can get in this regard.
6. Replace Your Toothbrush
You should be looking to get a new toothbrush every three months. This is because the bristles become damaged over time and will not be as effective at cleaning your teeth. If the bristles on your toothbrush are a little worse for wear, you may even have to think about changing it out sooner.
7. Eat Well
A good diet can assist many parts of your body. The minerals found in dairy and fortified soymilk can help promote a strong set of teeth as well as provide other benefits to your body. Also, the minerals you can get from dairy, eggs, beans, and nuts such as phosphorous can also help your teeth stay healthy.
Finally, vitamin C is important for maintaining your gums. Citrus fruit, green vegetables, and tomatoes are all known for their high levels of vitamin C, so look to them if you want to protect your mouth’s health.
8. Drink Less Alcohol
Many alcoholic drinks are very high in sugar content and can be very acidic. These sugars and acids can end up breaking down the enamel that covers and protects your teeth. After the enamel is gone, cavities are rarely far behind, so remember that before you order another beer.
9. Hydrate
Drinking water has several benefits for healthy teeth and gums that go beyond washing away food particles. Also, preventing a dry mouth can reduce the risks of tooth decay as saliva tends to neutralize acids.
Finally, the fluoride added to tap water plays a major part in keeping the nation’s teeth in a healthy state. Scientists have shown it can reduce tooth decay by up to sixty percent.
Finding a Dentist in St. Louis
We are ready and waiting to take your details if you have not had a check-up in a while. Your dental health remains very important to us.
To book an appointment, contact us and we can fit you into our schedule at the earliest convenience. If you have not seen a dentist in a while, it is much better to get yourself checked out before it is too late.
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