When it comes to keeping your teeth healthy, there is a lot more to good oral healthcare than simply brushing and flossing. We all know just how important it is to make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day. But it is also important to consider what you eat and how it can affect your teeth and of course ensure that you get regular check-ups with your dentist.
Brushing your teeth
Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day, before bedtime and one other time during the day. You should spend around 2 minutes brushing your teeth on each occasion, and it is imperative to ensure that you pay attention to all the different surfaces of your teeth, so make sure that you have cleaned them thoroughly. Make sure that you use a toothpaste that contains fluoride to help protect your teeth.
Choosing the right toothbrush
You should choose a toothbrush with a small enough head to allow you to reach the teeth at the back of your mouth easily. If you have any gum issues, then look for something with softer bristles as these are kinder to your gums. If you can, invest in an electric toothbrush, the rotating head will really help you to get into all those awkward places and give you a better clean. You will need to remember to change your toothbrush on a regular basis. Every three to four months is recommended to ensure that it is as effective as possible. You may need to change a child’s toothbrush more regularly.
In order to keep your teeth as healthy as possible, you should also take care of your toothbrush. Make sure that you rinse it properly after each use and then store it in an upright position in the open so that there is plenty of airflow around the bristles helping your toothbrush to dry off. Microorganisms can thrive on the damp environment of your toothbrush if it doesn’t have a chance to dry properly.
Dental checkups
It is crucial that you get regular check-ups with your dentist. They will be able to get a much better picture of what is going on with your mouth if they see you more often. If you have moved and haven’t registered with a dentist in your new area, then do it as soon as you can. Whether you are looking for a Stockport dentist or a dentist in any other area, you will be able to find out which practices people recommend by asking around.
Depending on any dental issues that you have a good dentist will probably suggest seeing you every 6 to 12 months so that they can keep an eye on your teeth. They will also look at the health of your gums during an appointment, and this can be a good indication of any underlying issues that you might have. Catching these issues earlier means that they should be able to avoid things getting worse for you, which might result in costlier treatments.
Eat the right things
We all know how important it is to avoid eating too much sugary food and drink, but you should also limit your intake of acidic foods as well, since these can weaken the enamel on your teeth. This doesn’t just mean food containing citrus but also things like pickles and tomato-based products as well.
You can lessen the effects these foods have on your teeth by eating them alongside things with a higher ph level. You can also help by drinking water to keep your mouth moist so that saliva can help to wash out the harmful acids and sugars.