BA50 TalkersIf it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, you want to schedule a dental checkup immediately. This thorough form of cleaning is a way for your dentist to assess the health of your teeth and gums. It’s also a way for you to get rid of plaque that may be doing damage to your teeth. If you make your visits on every six months, the following tips can help keep your pearly whites in fine condition in between visits.
Healthy Eating
A nutritional diet can help keep your body energized and healthy no matter what age. Plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber rich foods can also clean your teeth naturally in between dental visits. That’s because crunchy snacks such as broccoli, celery carrots, apples and lettuce pose as a natural abrasion to rid the teeth of plaque. Nutritional fare is also much better to your overall health than fats and sugars. You can also boost the health of your teeth by drinking plenty of fresh water. Flavored coffees, soda pop and sports drinks are loaded with sugar. Your sugar addiction may satisfy your sweet cravings, but they can erode your tooth’s enamel and contribute to cavities.
The Right Mechanics
The upkeep of your teeth is critical to your body’s health and wellness. Poor dental care can cause more serious health issues than yellow teeth or a toothache. You could also put yourself at risk for dementia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory infections and rheumatoid arthritis. If you’re missing teeth, an implant dentist can repair your smile. By surgically placing a titanium post into the jaw, this acts as a strong support for the crown. You can help prevent broken or missing teeth by adopting a daily brushing regimen. This should be done twice daily and for two minutes. If you haven’t changed to a motorized toothbrush yet, you’ll notice a major difference in the cleanliness of your teeth with the new addition. Studies show that the power dental brushes can remove seven times additional plaque from your teeth than the manual variety.
Ditch Bad Habits
Tartar and plaque buildup can ruin your smile. The good news is that you can get rid of bacteria and plaque by ditching your bad habits. If you enjoy sugary treats, swap them for natural foods such as fruits and veggies. Smoking is another bad habit for your mouth. It not only causes wrinkles to form along the lips, smokers have a higher rate of tartar buildup than non-smokers. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe smoking also cause your teeth to stain and yellow.
Clean Between Your Teeth
You may think that brushing your teeth a couple times per day is enough to prevent plaque. Unfortunately, a toothbrush isn’t going to do a thorough enough job, especially in between your teeth. Particles from breakfast, lunch or dinner can get stuck in the crevices of your teeth. Dental floss is a great way to remove bits of food. New products such as Soft Picks gently remove food and plaque in between your teeth with a small, bristle-like instrument. Try to aim for twice a day. Flossing can also remove mouth bacteria and keep your breath smelling fresh.
Give Your Mouth a Thorough Assessment
Your dentist has the tools today to screen for health issues such as mouth and oral cancers. You can do your part to obtain a healthy mouth by monitoring your gums, teeth and tongue. If you notice any oddities, make an appointment with your dentist. Things to look for include sores, lumps or bumps. Pain, difficulty swallowing or hoarseness may be other signs of trouble. Early detection is a big step to catching a disease before it can prove fatal.
Even if you do visit your dentist on a regular basis, you can still attract plaque in between visits. By following the above precautionary tips, you’ll be able to help prevent cavities and gum disease. You may even cut your next dental visit short by having a healthy mouth.