Adult teeth are permanent. If your teeth develop problems early, you need to manage the problem. If you lose a tooth, you can only go to a dentist for a replacement. Therefore, you must take care of your dental hygiene. You should not wait until you experience problems to take care of your teeth. Unfortunately, studies have shown that almost half of all children between the ages 12 and 15 have teeth problems including cavities. Losing a tooth can affect your appearance, chewing, and even cause discomfort and pain. Thankfully, there are simple things you can do to keep your teeth strong and healthy. They include;
Take Care of Your Dental Hygiene Early
Most people take care of their teeth once they experience teeth problems like sensitivities and toothaches. It is unfortunate that a significant number of children below the age of 15 have cavities. Dental care should start immediately the child’s first tooth appears. Nevertheless, it is never too late to take care of your teeth.
Brush Twice a Day
When it comes to cleaning your teeth, it includes everything in your mouth. Your gum, tongue, and the roof of your mouth (palate) are as important as your teeth for your dental hygiene. When brushing your teeth, ensure that your toothbrush bristles are near the gum line to ensure that it cleans both the teeth and gum. You should brush using a back-and-forth movement and up-down movements on the inner and outer parts of your teeth. You should also brush your tongue and palate to get rid of bacteria that cause bad breath.
Floss Daily
Besides brushing your teeth twice a day, also floss regularly. Brushing cleans the surface of the teeth, but flossing cleans between the teeth. Flossing helps to get rid of food residue and other substances stuck between the teeth.
Eat and Drink Teeth-Friendly Food
In most occasions, people eat because they are hungry or because the food is sweet. Unfortunately, most people do not consider the effects the foods have on their teeth. Some foods, such as fruits, nuts, chicken, cheese, and vegetables are teeth friendly. Besides taking teeth friendly foods, you should also limit the intake of foods that can be harmful to your teeth. Things like tobacco, sweets, coffee, and tea can cause harmful effects on your teeth. Instead of taking coffee, drink water. Investing in the water filter can ensure that you are drinking safe, quality water.
See a Dentist Regularly
Experts recommend that people should visit a dentist every six months for a thorough checkup. During the visit, a cosmetic dentist will clean your teeth and remove hardened tartar and plaque. The dentist will also check for early signs of gum disease, cavities, and mouth cancer among other oral health issues. If necessary, they can use X-ray to check for cavities. A regular visit to a dentist ensures clean and healthy teeth.
Use Fluoride
Fluoride is a popular product in toothpaste and mouthwash products. Experts believe that fluoride can help to prevent cavities. Studies have shown that lack of fluoride can lead to tooth decay even when the person is taking good care of teeth.
Conclusion
Proper dental hygiene involves both diet and cleaning routes. Consuming sugary diets increases the risk of cavities. Experts recommend that you should lower your sugar intake to below 10 percent of your daily calories. If you have children, teach them how to take care of their teeth when they are still young. You should also keep children from sharing utensils as the action can pass cavity-causing bacteria to the child.
