Let’s face it: it’s not easy to get your teeth and gums healthy. Between the constant threat of cavities and the risk of periodontal disease from bacteria in our mouths, it can be difficult to maintain good dental health. And even if you manage to keep your teeth clean and avoid the most common dental problems, you still might develop a tooth sensitivity or another condition that makes life difficult for you. Thankfully, there are some simple things you can do every day that will help protect your teeth and gums as you age, making it easier to avoid painful and expensive oral issues in the future. Read on for 7 tips to protect your teeth and gools for a longer, healthier life
Brush and floss regularly
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to help remove plaque, which is a soft, sticky film that can build up on your teeth, leading to cavities and gum disease if not removed. If you’ve been diagnosed with weakened gums, you may want to use a soft toothbrush, as firmer brushes can irritate the gums and cause further damage. You should also floss at least once every day, preferably before brushing as it will help to remove any plaque that your toothbrush might have missed. If you’re in your 40s or 50s, you’re probably familiar with periodontal disease, a gum infection that can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, leading to tooth loss. While there are various treatments for this, the best prevention is to get into the habit of flossing, since it can remove the bacteria that leads to the disease.
Visit your dentist on a regular basis
Regularly visit your dentist for a teeth cleaning and checkup, especially if you have a family history of gum disease or cavities, or if you’ve had previous dental work done. This can help identify any potential issues in their early stages, allowing your dentist to provide treatment before the problem becomes unmanageable. Ask your dentist about fluoride treatments, which are designed to strengthen your teeth and help prevent the cavities that can lead to tooth loss. Additionally, you may want to consider getting a mouth guard to protect your teeth and gums while playing sports, as sports-related injuries are a common cause of tooth loss in young adults.
Use mouthwash
Some mouthwashes contain ingredients that can help kill the bacteria in your mouth and prevent tooth decay, especially in combination with regular brushing and flossing. If you are concerned about dental health, you may want to use a mouthwash that contains fluoride, since this ingredient can help strengthen your teeth, particularly if you have weakened gums. While some mouthwashes contain ingredients that can actually damage your teeth, others have been shown to have a positive effect on oral health, making it easier to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. You should, however, be careful not to swallow the mouthwash, since it could damage your stomach if swallowed.
Stay away from sugary foods
Sugary foods and drinks can cause tooth decay (tooth decay), which is a bacterial infection that causes holes in your teeth. To minimize your risk of tooth decay, try to avoid sugary foods, particularly hard candies, soda, and other beverages that contain sugar. You should also rinse your mouth out with water after eating these foods, as this can help remove excess sugar from your teeth; you can also use a toothbrush to remove plaque and food particles from your teeth. You can reduce your risk of tooth decay by eating a healthy diet that’s low in sugar, as well as cutting back on your sugar intake if you drink a lot of sugary beverages. You may also want to consider using a fluoride toothpaste, since this can help strengthen your teeth and prevent decay.
Don’t forget the vitamins
In addition to brushing and flossing regularly and visiting your dentist, you can also prevent some tooth decay and gum disease by taking vitamin supplements.
Vitamin C, for example, can help strengthen your gums and teeth, making it easier to prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease. You can also take
vitamin D supplements to strengthen your teeth and gums, as this vitamin is important for healthy teeth. And while calcium is often associated with strong bones, it can also help strengthen your teeth and gums, making it easier to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. If you aren’t already taking vitamins such as calcium and vitamin D, you may want to consider doing so to help protect your teeth and gums.
You can easily find these vitamins online as well
Maintain good oral health with a soft brush
Finally, you can protect your teeth and gums by brushing them with a soft-bristled brush that doesn’t have any hard bristles. This will help you to remove plaque from your teeth and prevent gum disease, while also minimizing your risk of damaging your gums. If you have weakened gums, you may want to use a soft toothbrush. It’s also important to change your toothbrush regularly to help prevent the spread of bacteria, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not removed. In general, you should change your toothbrush every three months; you should also rinse your toothbrush with cold water between uses to remove the bacteria that remains on it.
Conclusion
Your teeth and gums are sensitive parts of your body that require special care. Even though they may be hard to reach, they are still vulnerable to infection and decay. The best way to protect them is to follow an oral hygiene routine. Start by brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Floss between your teeth once a day to remove food debris and bacteria. Brushing and flossing are important, but they don’t remove plaque from your gum line. To do this, you can use a dental scraper. It’s also important to visit your dentist on a regular basis for teeth cleanings and teeth-whitening treatments.
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