There are multiple reasons why you should ensure that you and your entire household maintain healthy teeth. From having amazing and sparkling smiles to avoiding toothaches, keeping gum diseases at a minimum, being able to chew without difficulties, and other benefits, there is a lot to gain from maintaining healthy teeth. There are lots of simple ways that you can keep your teeth healthy and strong. Some of the methods include but are not limited to:
1. Use an adequate amount of fluoride
Fluoride is a composition of most toothpaste and mouth rinses for one reason – it strengthens the teeth enamel and as a result, possibilities of tooth decay are significantly reduced. You can also opt to have fluoride applications applied to your teeth but only in severe cases of demineralization (loss of minerals from your teeth). For children, fluoride should be used sparingly.
2. Periodic change of toothbrushes
When your toothbrush is too soft or crumbled, it would not be able to carry out the purpose for which you are using it – removing debris and avoiding plaque buildup around your teeth. In order to avoid this, make sure that you change your toothbrush at least 3 times every year.
3. Always brush and floss
In order to further strengthen your teeth, you should make sure you brush your teeth at least twice daily, especially in the morning and at night before you go to bed. It is also important that you take your time to floss as this is the surest way of removing whatever food particles are left behind after brushing.
4. Properly rinse your mouth after meals
Aside from the fact that you need to brush your teeth at least twice daily, it is also important that you properly rinse your mouth after meals. If possible, you can use an antibacterial rinse as this will help in the prevention of gum issues and tooth decay. On the other hand, you can chew sugar-free gums to further increase saliva flow, neutralize acids, and wash away any bacteria lurking around.
5. Stay away from sugary foods
When you consume sugary foods and they are broken down by the bacteria in your mouth, it results in the production of acids that are known to be harmful as they erode your teeth enamel, causing decays. If consumed over a long period of time, soft drinks and fruit drinks with artificial sweeteners can endanger your oral health.
6. Go for periodic dental checks
Even when you are maintaining good oral hygiene, it is still important that you schedule periodical dental checkups with your dentist every 6 months. If you have already existing oral problems, then you should get checked at least 3 to 4 times a year. This will help in reducing plaque buildup and minimizing the chances of tooth decay.
7. Good nutrition
Apart from the fact that you need to avoid sugary foods, it is also important that you eat more fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and nuts. These classes of food are known to provide your body with all of the nutrition you may need for stronger teeth. They also tend to reduce gum inflammation.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many strategies that you should follow in order to maintain strong and healthy teeth. You should also avoid using your teeth for anything besides biting and chewing of food. Your teeth should not be your can opener or used in cracking nuts as you might end up chipping or even breaking them.
Request an appointment here: https://drsykes.com or call Robert S. Sykes, DDS at (770) 873-7241 for an appointment in our Marietta office.
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