More than 90% of adults in the U.S. have had a cavity in their permanent teeth. Left untreated, it can lead to an infection, which can potentially spread to other areas of the body.
The good news is that it’s 100% preventable with good dental hygiene. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and going to the dentist for regular check-ups.
Looking for more tips on how to take care of your teeth? Want to up your oral hygiene game? If so, you’re in luck.
Several factors contribute to tooth loss, and they include poor oral habits, gum disease, health conditions, and more. People with missing teeth often turn to dentures in order to restore the function of the mouth and improve their appearance. Well, fitted dentures can enable you to speak, smile, and chew food in a proper manner.
We’ll be sharing a few pointers below—keep reading to learn more about the topic!
1. Brush Your Teeth Properly
Brushing your teeth is only effective if you use the proper technique. Avoid sawing back-and-forth motions. Move the toothbrush in small, circular motions instead, at a 45-degree angle to the gumline.
Make sure to clean all sides of the teeth, including the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces. With that said, you don’t want to brush too hard, as that can damage the gums and tooth enamel, the latter of which can cause tooth sensitivity.
And don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every 3 months (or when the ends start to look frayed). Worn toothbrush heads are much less efficient at removing plaque, which is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
2. Floss Your Teeth Every Day
Flossing is just as important as brushing—it’s the only way to remove pieces of food from between your teeth and underneath the gums. Not only that, but it’ll also remove plaque from the sides of your teeth, which isn’t possible with just a toothbrush.
How often should you floss? At least once a day, and if you can, floss before brushing. Studies have shown that it’s more effective at preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
In terms of how to floss, you want to break off about 18 inches of floss and wrap the ends around your fingers. Holding it taut between your index fingers and thumbs, gently move it up and down the sides of each tooth.
3. Visit the Dentist Twice a Year
As a general rule, you want to see the dentist (e.g. The Bondi Dentists) for cleanings and checkups every six months. They’ll be able to check for cavities and other up-and-coming dental problems.
For example, they might take x-rays, which will let them detect issues that are not visible to the naked eye, such as bone loss or decay between teeth.
They’ll also be able to remove calculus—a form of hardened dental plaque—from your teeth, something that you can’t do at home.
Knowing How to Take Care of Your Teeth
And there you have it—a mini-guide on how to take care of your teeth. As you can see, there are several things that you can do for healthy teeth and gums, from flossing to visiting the dentist regularly.
Looking for more content like this? Then be sure to check out the rest of our health section!
