Keeping your teeth clean and healthy is an important part of your dental and overall health. While you’re spending a lot of time and money making your skin or hair looking their best, your teeth need attention too, or you’ll wind up dealing with cavities, gum disease, and other unpleasant dental issues. Worst case scenario—you’ll wind up losing adult teeth prematurely and need costly procedures like crowns, bridges or even dentures.
If you want to stay on top of your teeth’s health, here are a few tips you can incorporate as part of your routine hygiene. It’s important to keep in mind that maintaining that attractive smile will take more than regular brushing and flossing.
It Pays to Be Proactive: Visit the Dentist!
Are you guilty of visiting the dentist only after a sleepless night due to an aching tooth? You’re not alone. Studies show that over 50% of adults in the US skip regular dental visits because of:
- Phobias
- Lack of money
- Simple neglect
Before you find comfort in the number of people like you, know that visiting a dentist at least twice a year will help with early detection of teeth problems such as:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Cancer
Don’t let a busy schedule prevent you from keeping up to date on your appointments. You might even just schedule an appointment when you are on the road. For instance, if you’re traveling to New York on a long trip, why not visit a dentist in New York City rather than waiting until you’re home?
When you have a condition that gets detected early, they're far less costly to treat. This will prevent you from developing far worse conditions like dental emergencies that will require you to seek expert help from emergency dentists. Are you worried that you might not get the best care for your dental emergencies? Worry not. There are plenty of reliable and experienced dentists who can be of great help. For instance, if you live in Calgary or are traveling around the area and develop a dental emergency, you can visit Macleod Trail Dental for the best management of your condition.
Go Easy on the Sugar & Soda: Drink More Water
Kids aren’t the only people that love sweet foods—adults do too! We understand you may have a “sweet tooth”, but the fact of the matter is that sugar isn’t good for your teeth. We’ll explain the two common foods you like indulging in that’ll negatively impact your teeth:
- Soda: Fizzy drinks contain acids that are known to corrode the surface of your teeth. We’re not saying you must eliminate soda from your diet completely—though it would be to your advantage if you did. Drinking too many fizzy drinks will make your tooth enamel more susceptible to cavities. Choose water for a drink instead, it’s healthier for your whole body and not just your teeth.
- Sugary Foods: Sugar is known for causing tooth decay. To avoid enamel decay, avoid too many sugary treats.
Practice the Right Brushing Technique
Are you brushing your teeth using the correct technique? It’s not only about brushing your teeth regularly but make sure you’re using the proper technique and the correct toothbrush too.
For the right technique, you must follow these easy steps:
- Hold the toothbrush firmly at a 45°angle.
- Point it towards your gum line.
- Brush using gentle and circular motions. Avoid brushing aggressively as it may damage and wear your teeth.
When choosing a toothbrush, make sure that you replace it at least every three months or when you notice the bristles becoming blunt, hard or bent.
Practice proper dental hygiene and you’ll keep your teeth for longer. Also, remember the importance of a healthy lifestyle for your teeth, which includes eliminating smoking. Tobacco and other chemicals found in cigarettes are common causes of oral cancer.
Now, are you ready to take these steps to achieve a beautiful and healthy smile?
