How to Look After your Teeth

Once our baby teeth have fallen out, we only have one set of teeth for the rest of our lives, which is why it’s so important that we look after them.

Not only can tooth decay be very painful, but it can also lead to inlays, crowns and fillings, and if not treated, the nerve could become infected and die, which causes an abscess. This leads to a root canal treatment or you may even end up needing to remove the tooth.

Gum disease is another common problem, and can lead to problems like bone loss or even loose teeth. Since these problems are preventable, here are some ways you can look after your teeth:

Brush Regularly

This seems obvious, but it’s easy to forget. Brushing your teeth in the morning and night is the first step for healthy teeth. Ideally, you should be using a small-to-medium-sized brush with soft or medium bristles, and the head should be able to reach all the way into the back of your mouth, which is a spot that is commonly missed.

Eat Well

When we eat sugary, starchy foods, the bacteria in the plaque on your teeth produces acids, and this attacks the enamel on your teeth. Since plaque is so sticky, these acids are continually in contact with your teeth and the enamel begins to break down, forming a cavity or hole. Avoiding foods like soda, drinking lots of water and brushing after eating sweet foods can go a long way towards removing this plaque.

Floss

Many people feel that they don’t have time to floss, however a toothbrush simply can’t get in between your teeth to remove plaque. Be sure to use floss at least once a day and remember to get all of your teeth (a mirror can help with this). The backs of your last teeth are important, and you also need to get around the edges of any implants, bridges or crowns.

Break off approximately 45 centimetres of flow and wind a bit around a finger on each hand. Hold the floss tightly with around an inch between them in the middle, and use a rocking motion to work the floss between your teeth. Once the floss is up at your gumline, curve it against the tooth in a C-shape, scrape the side of the tooth, and repeat on the other side.

Whiten

Now that you have a healthy smile, it’s natural to want to show it off. Teeth whitening kits can help whiten your teeth at home, allowing you to make your teeth whiter while sitting on the couch or relaxing in front of the TV. Teeth naturally get yellow from drinking coffee and wine, so whitening them can give you greater self-confidence.

As you can see, with a bit of time, it’s easy to keep your teeth healthy and white. Regular checkups at the dentist will also ensure that your teeth stay clean and any problems are quickly picked up.