Having proper dental hygiene can be a game-changer for your overall health and wellness, so it is a great idea to think about the simple ways you can take care of your teeth. There may be a few tips on this list that you are already familiar with, but it is never a bad idea to take a step back and see if you are indeed practicing it properly and doing it to the best of your abilities. So, let’s get to it and see how you can take care of your teeth.
Get professional dental help
Though you can practice great dental hygiene at home, it is vital for your dental and oral health to see a professional a couple of times a year. This will ensure that you are up to date on x-rays, and it allows for the dentist or hygienist to see your teeth and inspect them for any current or potential issues in the future, like cavities or fillings. They will also be able to check your gums and hard-to-reach areas and give you a thorough cleaning. By frequenting a dentist, you can build a relationship and establish trust. That way, if it comes time to ask “how much does a filling cost?” or discussing endodontic care in-depth, they will be able to help you and give you the best answer and price possible.
Use clean products
Don’t get us wrong, as long as you are brushing and flossing, you are making steps in the right direction to take care of your teeth, but it is a great idea to take a deeper look at the products that you are using for your teeth. Are they full of harmful chemicals? Are they packaged in materials that can leach into your body? If you can, go for a cleaner, safer toothpaste, mouthwashes, and flosses. This will make sure you are keeping a clean mouth and that you are keeping it as clean as possible.
Be conscious of what you consume
We know that it isn’t easy to cut out coffee, soda, super salty treats, and high acidic foods, but if you can, you will be able to take even better care of your teeth. Dark drinks and high sugar foods can add to the discoloration of your teeth, and a lot of the acidity or sugar will slowly work to break down your teeth. Though you may not be able to cut coffee, soda, or lemons from your diet completely, it is a good idea to keep yourself in check and try your best to not over-consume them. We know this may sound overly simple, or silly, but try substituting water for one of the other drinks or crunchy veggies in place of a sugary item. They will still fill you up without contributing to your dental health decline.
Commit to a dental health routine
One of the most beneficial steps of having healthy teeth is starting a routine. Write down your routine and set it into motion. Have different steps that you will complete on a daily, monthly, or yearly basis. Items you may want to add to your list can consist of: brushing and flossing at a minimum of two times a day, incorporating mouthwash with fluoride, visiting the dentist twice a year, cutting out coffee or soda two days a week, or maybe even quitting smoking for good. Small steps in a routine can create habits that will last for a lifetime, so when you hit some of your milestones, don’t forget to reward yourself with a trip or a special treat.
Though taking care of yourself isn’t always at the top of your priority list, the time is now to make it so. Your teeth will be so happy you did, and your healthy, well-taken care of smile will speak for itself.