Our teeth are extremely important in many ways and it isn’t just about how they look aesthetically. Teeth and gum care is an important part of maintaining our overall health too.
How often should you visit your dentist?
If you want to really look after your teeth, then you should be prepared to make regular check-up appointments at your dental practice to prevent tooth and gum decay. You should attend as often as they recommend, which might be every six months or they might be happy to see you less often.
Brush and floss daily
Make sure you brush at least twice a day. Brushing and flossing can help get rid of most plaque on your teeth, but some plaque is more difficult to remove and will harden and eventually form tartar. When it gets to this stage, it can only be removed by a dental professional.
Unremoved plaque and tartar will not only cause decay but also work its way under the gums and lead to serious gum disease. Eventually, the disease process could become so advanced the only treatment is the extraction of the tooth.
Food and drinks that affect teeth
It’s not easy to give up the things that we enjoy, so it’s best to understand what can have a negative impact on our oral health and find ways to counteract what can harm teeth.
It’s no surprise to learn that sugar is the biggest offender when it comes to dental disease and it’s the number of times in a day that sugar is introduced to the mouth that contributes the most.
For example, citrus fruits can erode enamel due to their acid content, making teeth more vulnerable to decay, so it’s best to eat and drink them in moderation at mealtime and rinse with water afterward. Similarly, bread can also be a big culprit due to saliva breaking down starches into sugar that then gets into the crevices in between teeth, which leads to decay.
Correct your smile
If you’ve always been unhappy with your teeth and feel self-conscious of your smile when around others, then you could consider invisible braces that don’t look as obvious as traditional braces.
It’s easier than ever now to change aspects to your teeth that you have always simply put up with. It might also mean that your dental health improves due to correcting overcrowded teeth.
Should you visit the hygienist?
It’s not imperative for you to visit one and often people will be put off by the extra cost of seeing one, when they may not feel it’s needed. However, your dentist might advise you to see a hygienist to help you remove a buildup of plaque on your teeth, or to manage certain conditions such as gum disease.
The hygienist will take a medical history, then they will assess your gum health and check the soft tissues in your mouth, looking for abnormalities that may be an early indicator of oral cancer. They will clean your teeth using an ultrasonic scaler and they may use hand scalers too. They may also polish your teeth to remove any residual staining. They can also give you guidance and information on which products are best for cleaning your teeth at home.
A healthy diet, a consistent oral home hygiene regime along with regular professional cleanings and checkups will keep teeth and gums at their best, and leave you with a beautiful, healthy smile.