There’s very little in the way of physical maladies that’s as painful and unpleasant as toothache. When you’re having dental pain, it’s almost impossible to think about anything else in your life. Thankfully, there are some things that you can do to ensure that your teeth stay free of decay and pain for as long as possible…
Brush Your Teeth Regularly
Brushing your teeth twice a day is the best way to keep them healthy by removing plaque, which is a sticky substance that builds up on your teeth over the course of the day and causes tooth decay and gum disease because of the bacteria it contains. Choose a dentist approved electric toothbrush with a circular head and make sure you brush once in the morning and once at night, including all the surfaces of your teeth – front and back. Eating softens the enamel on your teeth so you should make sure you wait half an hour after you’re done with breakfast.
Remember To Floss
As good as brushing your teeth is, it doesn’t quite manage to remove all the plaque – there will be small amounts of it between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t quite reach, which is where tooth floss comes in handy! Gently curve the floss around each tooth and make sure that you aren’t too rough – you don’t want to make your gums bleed.
Cut Back On Sugary Foods
One of the absolute best (and easiest!) ways to keep your teeth and body healthy is by cutting back on sugary foods and drinks like soda, fruit juice, cakes, cookies and candy. Sugar can cause tooth decay and cavities – it creates an acidic build up in your mouth and can erode your tooth enamel. It might be hard to cut back on sugar but it’s most important to cut out hard candies from your diet, as they’re in your mouth for longer and you could also crack a tooth or filling if you attempt to chew them. You could also cut back on other acidic foods like ketchup, pickles and vinegar.
Remember Fluoride
Does your toothpaste have fluoride in it? Make sure that you look at the instructions on it to check. Fluoride can help to protect your tooth enamel by preventing the build up of plaque in your mouth, which helps to reduce gum disease and tooth decay. Use mouthwash and toothpaste that contain fluoride and make sure that the mouthwash touches every part of your mouth.
Visit The Dentist Regularly
If you really want to keep your teeth healthy in the long term it’s important that you go for regular check ups at the dentist. If you find that you have any tooth or gum sensitivity, it’s a good idea to get yourself checked out sooner rather than later – if you’re suffering from gum disease or tooth decay, it’s easier to treat it before it progresses too far.
Quit Smoking
Of course, quitting smoking is one of the best general health tips but it’s particularly useful when it comes to your teeth. Cigarettes can stain them, as well as raising your chances of getting an oral cancer. It can also damage your tooth enamel – so slap a nicotine patch on your arm today!
People also need to get out of the habit of chewing on inanimate objects like pens.
So true! I have a niece who had a habit of chewing telephone cords! Thankfully, she grew out of it and moved on to other interesting habits. LOL!
I use a flouride rinse and it really helps. But I wish my parents would have taught me good teeth brushing when I was a kid because I lost some of my teeth to decay. I always brush twice a day and stay away from sugary foods and do not drink sugar soft drinks.