While it may seem self-explanatory at first, it’s been proven that the majority of us don’t take care of our teeth the way we should be doing. In fact, even the average American who brushes their teeth at least 3 times a day, still has some improvements to make to their dental hygiene.
Years of medical practice have shown that maintaining our teeth and gums healthy can have a tremendous impact on our general well-being, whereas poor dental care leads to a great deal of illnesses.
And keep in mind that after you’ve lost your adult teeth, you won’t be growing new ones any time soon, or at all for that matter, so hold them near and dear to your heart.
We’ve compiled a list of effective, yet easy strategies to keep your teeth healthy and even more importantly, make them last an entire lifetime.
Check in with your dentist regularly.
It goes without saying that dentists know way more about our teeth than we do, but that also means that they can spot issues where we normally couldn’t.
Even if you’re feeling right, there’s nothing wrong with booking an appointment every couple of months, especially if your insurance covers it.
By doing this, you’re dealing with potential problems before they even appear, and if there may be some underlying issues with your teeth, you will have solved them sooner.
Regular checkups can also prevent your teeth from decaying in old age, as technology has advanced to a point where numerous ways of protecting your chompers are available.
If you’re squeamish about dentists and don’t feel like visiting one every couple of months, at least schedule an appointment twice a year, just to make sure everything’s in order.
Consistency is key
At times, brushing your teeth after every meal can feel like a chore, and we’ve all been there, especially after a long week that transitioned into the shortest weekend ever.
Unfortunately, with how sensitive teeth and gums are, skipping a single brushing session can set you back weeks in terms of dental hygiene.
This does depend on your diet though, but even those who don’t consume as much sugary foods on average will need to keep up a consistent brushing schedule to keep their pearly whites, well, pearly white.
And know that brushing alone won’t do the trick, as flossing has been found to be just as, if not more effective at removing food residue and plaque.
Top it off with a quick wash of your favorite antimicrobial mouthwash, and you’ll be right back on track to proper dental hygiene.
Food makes a difference.
As mentioned earlier, your diet will certainly affect the shape your teeth are in, although consistent and thorough brushing will offset it by a small amount.
Generally, you want a diet that’s packed full of vitamins and minerals such as calcium and vitamin D in order for your teeth to stay strong and healthy.
Conversely, this also means that you should cut back on acidic and sugary foods, as those types of substances are infamous for causing tooth decay and causing a wide array of illnesses in the oral cavity.
Switching to a healthier diet will do much more than just protect your teeth, as it will contribute to their longevity as well as your overall health, so think of it as dealing with two problems at once.
Many find it difficult to rationalize going on a diet, but if it’s your smile we’re talking about, any amount of effort is worth it.
Prevent the issue rather than deal with it.
Finally, we’ve got the most direct approach to keeping your teeth safe, which is the many procedures available at the nearest dentist.
From sealants and chemical treatments to actual mouthguards to slip over your teeth, if you can imagine it, it’s probably already been done.
Tooth grinding is one of the more common causes of tooth decay in adults, and a mouthguard molded to your teeth will give you at least a year’s worth of protection.
Of course, your dentist will know what’s best for your current situation, so make sure you’ve done a proper checkup before opting for any of these procedures, as they may not even be necessary for you.
Dealing with a problem that could arise later could save you thousands in the long run, and even if it means removing a tooth that’s at risk of causing issues, you’re better off not having it at all.
Final word
The average American could definitely contribute a bit more time to their oral health and dental hygiene, and it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth the trouble.
Take a good look at your teeth and know that if you don’t give them enough attention, they’ll only continue to deteriorate as the years go by.
Not having to use dentures when you’re past 60 is something to be proud of, as it shows years of dedication and effort put towards keeping your teeth healthy.
That’s nothing to scoff at, and considering how many young people nowadays are doing veneers and crowns, having a healthy set of 32 (or 28 if you had your wisdom teeth removed) is quite the brag.
Think of it as an investment, and one that’s certain to pay off when you’ve reached old age.