Taking The Best Care Of Your Teeth (Oral Health Matters!)

Having good teeth can at times be a hard feat. Growing up, we all like to eat lots of sweets and sugary things that taste delicious — but are terrible for our teeth. When we grow up, we often pick up bad habits as adults that greatly impact our oral health. To take the best care of your teeth, here is some advice to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Attend Regular Checkups

There is a good reason why you need to go to a dentist on a regular basis. Even if you believe that your teeth are in good health, there could be a hidden issue, which is waiting to come to the surface. Attending regular checkups can screen for potential issues and ultimately reduce your costs for maintaining your oral health.

For example, if you develop tooth decay on several teeth, this could necessitate extraction of your natural teeth and artificial replacement. Fortunately, dental technology has comes a long way, and it’s no longer a challenge to find affordable dentures that allow you to continue with life like before. Keep in mind that it’s always best to find out about issues early — in order to minimize the pain and discomfort that comes along with poor oral health.

Watch What You Eat And Drink

Consuming less sugary foods is the best diet for your teeth because excessive sugar leads to tooth decay and problematic gum conditions. If you do eat or drink sugary foods, then it’s best to brush your teeth after consuming them — in order to remove the sugar and bacteria. Also, food and drink that is high in caffeine will often stain teeth. It’s fine to consume these items from time to time — try to avoid overindulging in them — and make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day.

If you really enjoy the sugary snacks and the coffee or tea, there are some choices that you can make to improve your oral health. If you can make this move, drink decaf instead; drinking decaf will allow you to enjoy the same drinks but without the caffeine that can stain your teeth. Likewise, eat chocolate instead of the other sugary sweets; those sweets contain more sugar than chocolate. The darker and more natural the chocolate, the less artificial sugar it will contain.

Inspect Your Toothbrush

How often do you change your toothbrush? Think about this if you have ever regularly experienced bad breath, stained teeth, or poor oral health. Changing your toothbrush regularly will ensure that you are no longer brushing your teeth with a head full of bacteria. Aim to change your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.

Examine Your Oral Health Routine

Your oral health routine should be consistent and include the right equipment. First, you should floss your teeth. Use whatever tool you like, so long as you perform a good and efficient job on a regular basis.

After flossing, brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Many modern electric toothbrushes have a timer — so you can ensure that you have brushed the ample amount of time.

Finally, use mouthwash and rinse for around 30 seconds. This will wash away any leftover bacteria or food that your toothbrush did not remove.

Oral health is often overlooked by many people. Intriguingly, a team of researchers at New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing has found that good oral health habits, which include regular flossing and brushing, may prevent cognitive impairment and dementia. So, what’s good for your teeth is likely also great for your brain!

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