We rarely go to our dentists if our teeth don’t hurt, and it’s quite important that we admit that to ourselves before we even consider improving our dental health. After that procrastinated visit to our white-robed nemesis, we’re often asked “what exactly did you do to ruin your teeth so much?”. Now, that’s where our differences come into play.
Some people tend to eat and drink all kinds of things (most of them affect our teeth directly), others don’t brush their teeth regularly while some people simply don’t know how to do things properly (brush their teeth, floss, and such).
This article will help you get back on track – whatever was ailing you will stop as soon as you’ve passed the “ropes” – the advice I’m willing to share with you will most certainly change your brushing habits for good, just make sure to pay attention and be consistent. You can always find a great cosmetic dentist to give you a better smile but at-home maintenance is critical.
Regularly and properly maintain your toothbrush
You wouldn’t believe how many problems stem from a badly maintained toothbrush. There are all kinds of things that can stick up to the bristles without you even noticing it – tiny leftovers from your last brushing, small pieces of grinded plaque, dust, germs, bacteria, and all sorts of bad.
Simply rinsing your toothbrush after you’re done might do the job, but it might not be. Personally, I advise that you run your toothbrush under hot water immediately before, as well as after you brush your teeth. Germs and other bacteria won’t be a problem for you if you make a habit out of this.
Another issue is how you store your toothbrush. Namely, some people like to return their brushes to the package, others put it inside compartments of their mirror – both are, essentially, bad ideas. I recommend that you keep your brush in an open space where the air can get to the bristles – moist environments help microorganisms grow. To learn more about dental related tips and tricks, Oral Care Home is a great blog to check out!
Brush your tongue
You might be aware of the fact that our mouth represents a breeding ground for many bacteria. Most of them are quite harmless for everything but our teeth – not to mention the problems with bad breath you might experience after a while.
Some toothbrushes are ideal for tongue brushing – it all falls down to the density and structure of the bristles, but you shouldn’t bang your head too much over this, just remember that you should make a habit out of brushing your tongue.
Check in with your dentist a bit more often
Remember what I said about our habits of going to the dentist when, and only when our teeth start to ache? That should change as soon as possible.
Most dentists claim that “If you come to us when the pain starts, it’s usually too late”. That means that the plaque and bacteria have already went too far deep, so, instead of healing the tooth, you’ll sometimes have to kill the nerve, or in worst-case scenario, bid it farewell.
Going in for regular checkups will certainly lower the chances of such unfortunate events. Your dentist will also provide you with valuable advice on how to deal with your current dental problems, which will grant you the opportunity to treat your teeth before they even start to hurt.
Change your drinking game
What we eat and drink can have serious impact on our teeth, and, despite the popular opinion among laymen and people without knowledge of dental health, your drinks are a more important factor than your snacks.
Basically, everything we drink gets filtered through our teeth more or less. Soft (fizzy) drinks are laden with carbon hydrate – these little baddies explode on your gums and teeth, significantly destroying the walls of your teeth.
Alcohol can dissolve something as sturdy as stone if given enough time, so even though I won’t be the one who’s going to say “stop doing that”, I’ll advise you to slow the tempo down.
On the other hand, drinking milk and plain fruit juices could be very beneficial to your dental health. Try spicing your diet with these with a little cheese every once in a while and you’ll be pumped with Calcium to the point where your teeth will spontaneously get stronger by the minute.
Quit smoking
If you’re a heavy smoker, there are high chances that you already know what “teeth itch” feels like. Smokers are more susceptible to teeth and gum diseases, so if your teeth start to feel awkward and funny, it’s high time you quit.
I think that it goes without saying – combining smokes with alcohol is a sure way to substantially lower the condition of your teeth. At first, you’ll experience yellow stains, later it will be funny feelings before you lay to sleep.
As an ex-smoker, I can guarantee that you can muster the strength to quit, as there are no reasons why you would further expose your teeth to their sworn nemesis – tobacco.
Drink plenty of water
Dehydration attacks your gums – the very walls your teeth rely on. Drinking plenty of water will make sure that your mouth has a steady supply of the much-needed saliva, which acts as your natural plaque remover.
If you’re for some reason experiencing water restrictions or draughts, natural fruit juices are the best alternative, as opposed to fizzy drinks and alcohol which promote dehydration, causing it to occur faster and at a more advanced stage.
Conclusion
Simply put, if you lead a happy, steady life, your teeth will follow – the common problems of a modern man such as bad diet, bad brushing habits, and vices such as alcohol or cigarettes are the leading causes of low dental health.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help – we’re all accustomed to the way we’re living in this moment right now, and our bad habits need to be broken before we establish healthier ones. You can always go to your dentist for precise advice on how to deal with your current dental problems, and don’t refrain from doing just that.
