Your teeth can say a lot about your overall health. If you do not properly take care of them, it can definitely have a wide range of negative impacts, from cavities to losing a tooth and even oral cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Taking good care of your teeth, therefore, is something we all need to do every day. We all know about brushing our teeth, but how else can we protect our mouths from infection and any more serious consequences.
Floss
As well as our regular brushing habit – twice a day, morning and night before you go to bed for two whole minutes – you should see flossing as a daily essential. Flossing is the best way to clean between teeth, getting where the brush cannot reach. Flossing is a great technique for removing plaque and other food particles that are in tight spaces. If you don’t floss, plaque can build up in those tight areas, and turning to tartar and tarter is how your teeth develop cavities. It is also how gum disease starts too.
Use mouthwash
There has been some controversy about whether or not mouthwash actually does anything, but swilling mouthwash around in the mouth can get to those hard-to-reach areas and wash away any build-up. It also helps minimize the acidity level of the mouth. Mouthwash is an essential tool to bring more balance to the mouth’s ph level, bringing things into balance. It is a particularly good choice if flossing is too difficult.
Drink plenty of water
Water is so good for us in so many ways. It can help the body digest food, it can help you lose weight, it can reduce acne and lubricate joints and ensure your organs are running to their optimum, and it also helps with your oral health. You should try and drink water after every meal to wash away any food striking to teeth as well as wash off any acidic foodstuffs.
See the dentist
You need to see a dentist at least once a year for a checkup. It is the only way to catch any cavities before they turn into holes that need more treatment. A dentist can advise you on foods you should avoid and give you other tips relating to mouthwash etc. They can also offer you some treatment, including braces if you are beginning to suffer from tooth misalignment, such as an underbite. Getting crooked teeth straightened is a must. It can save you from losing teeth later in life and a lot of money.
Relax
Believe it or not, learning how to relax is a great way to look after your teeth. Unfirtunhalty, stress, for example, can have a hugely negative impact on the health of your mouth. I can cause you to grind your teeth and induce gun disease. If your immune system is down due to stress, you can get gum disease that way too. Not to mention that stress can cause some of us to eat a lot of unhealthy food choices.