Healthy and natural-looking teeth are often taken for granted. People who neglect their teeth end up suffering from tooth decay, discoloration, bad breath, gum disease, and other dental health issues. All of these can cause you physical and mental distress, leading to malnutrition, weakened immune system, and confidence issues caused by the bad aesthetics of your smile. We teach our kids from an early age the importance of proper mouth hygiene, but sometimes the adults need a reminder as well.
Following these simple guidelines will help keep your smile beautiful and your breath fresh. Here is the list of dental care tips to help you avoid these problems.
1. Brushing
Brushing is the primary technique for cleaning your teeth. It is important to brush them at least twice a day, ideally after every meal and even after some corrosive drinks like black coffee or a soda. As a dental hygienist at Tempe Smile Design explains it, when your hands are dirty, you wash the dirt away. So, why wouldn't you extend the same courtesy to your teeth?
2. Proper Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Not all teeth are made equal. When you visit your dentist, ask about the toothpaste you should be using and about the type of toothbrush that is most suitable for your teeth and gums. Different kinds of toothpaste have different amounts of fluoride and abrasive elements and you need to find the one that best suits your needs. The same goes for toothbrush density and hardness.
3. Floss Whenever You Can
Flossing is the best way to clean interdental space and it should be used as a cleaning technique as much as possible. Areas a toothbrush can't get to, floss can reach easily. By removing pieces of food and other residues, you limit teeth exposure to the things that corrode the protective layer, resulting in cavity prevention.
4. Professional Cleaning
On a regular basis, schedule a teeth-cleaning procedure and let a professional remove all the residue your toothbrush isn't able to. Doing so leads to a brighter smile and prevents cavities and gum disease.
5. Food and Drinks
Think of it this way; whatever nutrients your body needs, they come through your mouth. Eating healthy foods and drinking non-sugary drinks is good for your teeth and ultimately, your body. Limit your teeth exposure to unhealthy foods and help avoid cavities by not introducing elements that cause them in the first place.
6. Regular Meal Times
This is something most people never think about. Food digestion starts in your mouth with your teeth and saliva acids breaking down the food into simple nutrients. If you snack a lot during the day, your teeth are exposed to this acidic environment for longer periods of time, causing decay.
7. Strengthen Your Teeth
Even when you follow all the important hygiene procedures, your teeth age as you do. In order to keep them healthy, they need help in forms of fluoride-rich toothpaste, mouthwash, sealant, and other dentist-approved practices. Introducing these into your dental hygiene routine aide in replacing lost minerals and preventing cavities from happening in the first place.
8. Regular Check-ups
The most efficient way of preventing cavities is scheduling regular check-ups with your dentist. This also serves a dual purpose;
- You are actively preventing the formation of problems of any kind
- Even if you present with any issues, early tooth cavity treatment can prevent you from experiencing serious problems and expensive treatment and more extensive.
Dental care should be an integral part of your daily routine, including all of the tips mentioned in this list. Long-term dental care is simply impossible without regular check-ups and additional teeth cleaning services provided by a dentist. Thousands of beautiful smiles in Tempe, AZ can attest that these tips and regular check-ups are the reason they are still smiling. Schedule an appointment with our highly-trained staff at Tempe Smile Design and give yourself one of the best gifts a person can get; a healthy and natural looking smile that you can be proud of.