Once your baby teeth drop out, usually by the time you’re 12 years old, you’ll be left with one set of teeth that need to last you a lifetime.
Considering average life expectancy is increasing and currently sits around 83 years, you may need to look after these teeth for 70+ years. That’s a long time and illustrates the importance of adopting the best practices for healthy teeth and gums, starting now!
- Go Holistic
You need to have a check-up with your dentist at least once a year. It may be more than this if you’re currently dealing with an issue. However, before you go shooting back to the dentist you’ve always used you should consider a different approach.
A holistic dentist treats your whole body as well as your oral health. This is because everything in your body is connected. Studies show that plaque buildup in your mouth increases the likelihood of plaque in your arteries. That’s what causes blockages and can give you heart issues.
A holistic dentist should be seen every year to check your oral health and the rest of your health at the same time.
- Brush & Floss Daily
You already know you need to brush your teeth every morning and evening. Ideally, you should also floss once a day. This removes plaque and debris which causes more plaque.
However, it is imperative that you brush gently with circular motions. This reduces the risk of damaging your teeth and gums.
Brushing also removes sugars that feed the bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria secrete acid while they eat, it’s this acid that attacks the enamel on your teeth. Brushing and flossing can eliminate the issue.
- Consider Mouthwash
Not all mouthwashes are created equal. However, if you see one that has chlorhexidine in you should use it several times a week. This compound is an antibacterial which means it kills bacteria in your mouth and promotes the removal of plaque.
- Avoid Sugars
Sugar is the sworn enemy of teeth. It reacts with bacteria in your mouth and then creates acid. This attacks your teeth and gums, causing significant damage over time.
Unfortunately, sugar is almost everything. Your aim will be to avoid processed foods and never add sugar to anything. It’s simply too dangerous for your teeth.
- Skip Sugary Drinks
As well as in food, sugar is present in many soft drinks, including cola and juice. Every time you drink them the sugar sticks to your teeth and gets to work with the acids in your mouth.
It’s best to avoid sugary drinks and stick to coffee, tea, or even water. Of course, this is only effective if you don’t add sugar to these drinks!
You should note that while diet sodas don’t have sugar added to them, they do have a variety of chemicals that can cause their own health issues. That’s why it’s best to stick to drinking water when you can.