How to Look After Your Teeth

Right now, you might take your teeth for granted. You might not even think about them that much, especially if they never seem to cause you any pain. However, if you do stop to consider them for a moment, you’ll realize how important they really are to your everyday life. 

Without your teeth, eating would become difficult, or even impossible. More than that, gum disease and other ailments in the mouth are linked to additional problems such as heart disease and cancer. So it is crucial to have proper oral hygiene and to really look after your teeth. Here are some tips on how to do it. 

Brush at Least Twice a Day

Clearly the most important part of caring for your teeth is brushing them at least twice a day. Ideally you will want to brush them after every meal or snack, but this isn’t always possible; therefore, the best thing you can do is brush them before you go to bed and in the morning when you are getting dressed. 

Brushing once a day is better than nothing, but it’s not going to be enough to prevent the sugars and bacteria in foods and drinks from attaching themselves to your teeth and attacking them. The damage will have been done by the time you brush your teeth if you don’t do it at least twice a day. 

Flossing 

Brushing your teeth is a great way to care for them, but it’s not going to be enough on its own. If you can add flossing to your bathroom routine, then you really will be helping. Flossing removes the smaller particles of food and the build-up of plaque that sit between the teeth. If these aren’t removed (and normal brushing won’t be able to help with this) then they will sit there, potentially for days, causing damage. 

There is a particular way to floss your teeth that will give you the most benefit, and you should ask a healthcare professional about what this is and how you can use it to your best advantage. 

Using the Right Toothbrush 

You might think that all toothbrushes are the same, but you would be wrong. Some are much better at the job than others, so you should take your time picking the right one, and not just opting for whatever happens to be on sale at the time. 

Toothbrushes with hard bristles are not ideal as they can cause additional damage to sensitive teeth and gums. They can make brushing your teeth a painful process, which in turn, means that you might stop brushing, or not do it regularly. Choosing a brush with softer bristles might be better for you. Your teeth will still be cleaned, but they will also be more protected and you will feel more comfortable. 

An electric toothbrush is the best choice of all if your budget can allow for it. Although there are more expensive, they will last longer (especially if you can change the head rather than the whole unit) and they do a much better job than a manual toothbrush could do because they move faster and are more efficient.