How to Keep Your Teeth for Life!
It’s very important to take care of your teeth all of your life, since they play an important role in your overall health. They are important to chewing your food so you can consume nutritious foods, avoid toothaches and have a great smile. Gum disease is also said to be a leading cause of other serious conditions so maintaining your teeth is important to your overall health. Our Markham dentist will share with you some tips to help you be sure to keep your teeth for life.
Tip 1 – Brush and Floss Regularly – Everyone needs to brush and floss their teeth on a daily basis. The best advice suggests brushing at least twice a day and floss once minimally. You should spend about three minutes to complete the brushing process, don’t hurry through it, but give your teeth a thorough brushing each time. Flossing removes food particles from hard to get to spaces so they do not cause decay that can damage teeth or lead to the loss of a tooth.
Tip 2 – Use Fluoride Products – Use toothpastes and mouth washes that contain fluoride to protect your teeth. Fluoride strengthens the enamel so that the tooth is less susceptible to decay. Most water in the US is also fluoridated. The only exception is for young children who do not need too much fluoride as it can cause spotting on their delicate teeth.
Tip 3 – Use Preventive Dental Care Strategies – Brushing and flossing are very good ways to protect your teeth, but you also need to see a dentist regularly to help prevent problems or detecting them early on so they are easily treated. Sealers are also used to prevent decay especially in the back teeth, or molars. Children can benefit greatly from sealants which can help prevent cavities altogether, but adults can benefit sometimes as well.
Tip 4 – Avoid Tobacco Use – Tobacco of any form should be avoided in order to keep your teeth healthy for your lifetime. Tobacco can stain the teeth and increases the risk of developing oral cancer and gum disease significantly. If you already use tobacco, you should consider quitting altogether and if you do not use it, don’t start.
Tip 5 – Avoid Foods with Lots of Sugar – Your mouth has a form of bacteria that breaks down simple sugars. This process can produce acids which cause tooth enamel to erode and leads to decay. Drinks containing sugar are perhaps one of the biggest offenders since they tend to raise the acid levels over a longer period of time. The carbonation in sodas can also increase the acidity in the mouth.
Tip 6 – Make Smart Food Choices – No matter what your age, a healthy diet is key to having and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Eat a well-balanced diet of nutritious and whole foods like nuts, whole grains, dairy products and fruits and vegetables to keep the mouth healthy. Eating healthy omega-3 fats are thought to help reduce inflammation which can help lower the risk of gum disease.
