Ways to Ensure Teeth Stay Healthy

Although our teeth are hard and durable, they can get damaged. Poor dental practices and neglect are the primary reasons for damaged teeth. Poor hygiene causes dental decay, which can weaken your teeth and also affect your gums. This can eventually cause loss of teeth. 

Achieving healthy teeth is a lifelong commitment. It is vital to have proper dental practices from infancy to adulthood to help prevent decay and other dental problems. Here we list six ways that can support and enhance your dental health. 

1. Use Proper Brushing Techniques

Brushing and flossing every day are the primary preventive dental practices. However, they are not enough to maintain healthy teeth. It is important to brush using proper brushing techniques. 

Remember, the back teeth trap food, and not cleaning them well will leave some food particles behind. Try using the circular motion rather than the back and forth technique. Also, avoid brushing too hard, and it wears the teeth and affects the gums too. 

It is vital to clean your teeth right before bed and rinse the teeth after eating. 

2. Begin the Healthy Dental Practices Early 

Most parents know the importance of having proper dental care for children, but they rarely act on it. But, teaching your child the importance of good oral hygiene will set an excellent dental foundation later. 

Proper dental health starts at infancy; yes, before the teeth erupt. The primary teeth form when the baby is still a fetus, but will emerge when the baby is six or seven months. That is why you need to keep the gums healthy by cleaning them every day with a soft cloth.

It is also essential to visit the pediatric dentist when the first tooth erupts, or before the baby turns one. 

3. Use Fluoride Toothpaste and Treatments

Fluoride is vital in preserving your oral health. This naturally-occurring mineral is found in many forms, including toothpaste, mouthwash, and professional in-office treatments. Fluoride strengthens the enamel and also promotes reabsorption of minerals. 

Daily, our teeth are stripped off essential minerals like calcium and phosphate. These minerals give the enamel its strength, and once they are lost, it can become soft. The more the demineralization process happens, the higher the chances of developing decay. The enamel can reverse the process of demineralization if provided with the required mineral—fluoride.

Using fluoride toothpaste every day can help prevent dental cavities. If you are at risk of decay or have a dry mouth, the dentist can recommend a fluoride treatment. This involves the application of fluoride varnish, foam, or gel on the tooth surface to strengthen them. The fluoride treatment can be used every three, six, or 12 months depending on your risk level. 

4. Protect the Teeth

Using dental sealants is one of the ways of protecting the teeth from damage. Although dental sealants are used on children, adults can also benefit from them. Sealants are plastic coatings applied on the teeth to shield them from bacteria and decay. We also recommend pediatric dental crowns for children to protect their primary teeth from decay.

When playing contact sports, wear custom mouthguards to shield the teeth from impact, bruising, or getting knocked out. Remember, severe damage to the teeth can lead to extraction.

5. Focus on Teeth-Friendly Nutrition

Overconsumption of sugary foods gives room for the bacteria in the mouth to multiply. The bacteria breakdown the foods and produces an acid solution that attacks the enamel. Avoid overconsumption of foods and drinks high in sugar to preserve your teeth.

Additionally, eat teeth-friendly foods like broccoli, yogurt, eggs, fish, whole grains, and dark green vegetables. Do not forget vitamin C, which supports the gums and prevents infections.

6. Get a Comprehensive Dental Checkup Biannually 

Regular dental checkups and cleaning help the dentist to detect any dental problems and also remove plaque buildup. We offer dental checkups and cleaning as part of our general dentistry services. 

Visit Model Dental Clinic for more exams and cleaning and all our other dental treatments that are guaranteed to support your oral health.