Taking good care of your teeth is what will give your smile the healthy glow you want for many years to come. It’s also essential if you want to avoid discomfort and restorative treatments that could have been avoided with better habits. But rather than focus on potential problems, we’re going to look at realistic solutions everyone can put into practice right now.
Everything you’re about to read has been recommended by trusted dental professionals and qualified experts, ensuring that you’re always moving in the right direction.
Always use a fluoride-enriched toothpaste
Your brushing will only be as effective as the type of toothpaste you use, and that means it needs to be enriched with protective fluoride. This wonder material has the ability to support and reinforce the delicate enamel that forms the outer surface of your teeth. Food debris, bacteria, and sugary foods will all try to strip away enamel, exposing the delicate internal structure of your teeth in the process. Asking your dentist to recommend a particular toothpaste is the best approach to take.
Rinsing after brushing is something to avoid
When you rinse, you wash away the fluoride, but when you spit, all you do is empty your mouth of excess toothpaste. This simple change of behaviour will make a massive difference when consistently applied for weeks, months, and eventually, years. Get in the habit today if you haven’t already, and give your teeth the helping hand they have been waiting for.
Flossing after meals is a great idea
Food debris can easily get stuck in the little gaps that are easy to miss with brushing, but food debris is no match for regular flossing. In just a couple of minutes, you can wave goodbye to the little particles of food that are desperate to serve as a breeding ground for bacteria. Once you get in the habit, you’ll think nothing of giving your teeth some much-needed TLC after every meal.
Mouthwash has to be done at the right time
Wait a least half an hour to an hour after brushing to use mouthwash, otherwise you’ll be knocking the fluoride straight back off your teeth. This simple timing adjustment is a habit that you can start building today, and it’s one that you will find relatively easy to stick to. If you’re just not used to it, or you think you’ll forget, setting a reminder on your phone will take care of things the smart way.
Balanced diets keep teeth happy
Sugary food and processed food will change the chemistry in your mouth and give your teeth a really hard time. By moving towards whole foods and organic foods, you will be able to give so many parts of your body the natural building blocks they need to grow, repair, and thrive. Something as simple as swapping a lunchtime can of pop for a bottle of water is all we’re talking about here. You don’t have to make drastic changes if you can stick to small changes on a consistent basis.
Rinsing after meals is a smart move
Speaking of simple changes, how about a quick rinse with some water after each meal? It’s a really quick and easy way to wash out your mouth and will go some way to neutralising the acidity levels that have changed due to a sudden intake of sugar. While flossing would be even better, a quick rinse could be a stepping stone that allows you to gradually ease yourself into a series of new habits and daily dental care practices.
Regular appointments make the difference
A quick scroll on social media for dental care content will inevitably introduce you to a whole host of cutting-edge aesthetic and cosmetic treatments, but is that your only option? What we need to remember here is that your local dentist should always be your first port of call when you want to make sure that you’re on top of things.
Practices that have sourced a supply of the finest dental polishing paste from a trusted national supplier with decades of combined experience can always find ways to help. They will be able to guide patients through their options from a cosmetic point of view, as well as offer any at-home consumables that they advise.
Smoking can undo a lot of your good work
If you smoke, you will already know the health risks, but did you know that smoking also undoes much of the good work you may be doing to help your teeth? While quitting is easier said than done, making use of NHS resources as soon as you feel ready will help you to bring your smile to life in a way that you’re sure to notice every time you look in the mirror.
This is a submitted article written by Katie Howe.
