Keep Your Smile Healthy: How To Protect Your Teeth

A beautiful smile is a highly desirable feature and can help create a great first impression. On the other hand, discolored teeth and bad breath are unlikely to gain you many friends. We are all aware of the importance of looking after our teeth, but many of us just don’t do a good enough job.

Learning how to protect your teeth will ensure that your teeth stay healthy and good-looking for many years to come.

It All Starts with Brushing

All you need is two minutes twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste. Sounds simple, right? But many patients struggle to find the time, or they use the wrong tools. Following this simple formula helps to remove plaque, keep your breath fresh, and keep your teeth as white as possible.

Make Sure You Do It Properly

Okay, so we often see patients who swear that they follow the formula above, but despite this, they have bleeding gums and cavities. This is because they have been brushing incorrectly.

It is essential to take your time when you are brushing, as brushing too vigorously can cause damage to the enamel and gum surface. The key thing to remember is to try to cover all areas as thoroughly as possible. While some areas might be more difficult to reach, your dentist can give you some brushing techniques that can help.

Don’t Forget to Floss

One way you can help support your brushing efforts is to floss regularly, as this helps to clear areas between the teeth where food debris can accumulate. This accumulation will lead to plaque and cavities if left unchecked.

As with brushing, be gentle with your flossing because if you are too rough, you will likely cause your gums to bleed.

Go Easy on the Sugar

Eating and drinking habits have a massive effect on the health of your teeth and gums, to the point that even if you have excellent dental hygiene, you are still likely to have some problems. This is because foods and drinks high in sugar, starch, and carbohydrates are the perfect dishes for the bacteria that live in your mouth. And once the bacteria have finished eating, plaque forms on your teeth.

Keep your alcohol, coffee, soda, and fruit juice intake to an absolute minimum and try to have a balanced diet which includes leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, almonds, and natural dairy products.

Come See Your Friendly Dentist

Time to address the elephant in the room: Many people don’t like visiting the dentist. However, dentists are not the scary people they have been portrayed as in the past. They are well-trained in making even the most nervous patients comfortable and eager to come back for more.

Visiting your dentist twice a year is always a sound strategy, as they will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth. During the examination, they will identify any problems and suggest treatments and hygiene tips to make sure the problem doesn’t become a bigger one. They can also provide advice if you are a sports player or if you grind your teeth in your sleep.