A healthy mouth and white teeth are things that we all aspire to, particularly thanks to the trend that is the Hollywood smile. And, while white teeth may not be a sign of a healthy mouth, keeping your mouth healthy doesn’t have to stop you from living the lifestyle that you want. In this blog, we’ll look at some of the ways you can keep dental problems at bay and have healthy teeth.
Practice good dental hygiene
One of the easiest ways to prevent dental problems is to put in place a good dental hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, for two minutes each time using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothbrush is an absolute must. On top of this regular flossing and mouth washing will help to keep your teeth free from plaque and stop tartar building up.
Avoid sugary drinks and foods
Cut down on the amount of sugary foods and drinks that you are consuming and instead replace these with healthier alternatives, and no we don’t mean swapping normal Coke for Diet-Coke. While the latter may not contain sugar, it is still packed full of artificial sweeteners and acids that will break down your teeth’s enamel. Sugary drinks and snacks are best avoided or should be considered an occasional treat.
Cut down on smoking
Smoking can lead to some serious health problems and is also incredibly harmful to your teeth. Not only does it cause staining, but it also increases your risk of developing gum disease, bad breath and other dental conditions. Cutting down on smoking, or quitting altogether, will help drastically improve your oral health.
Limit your alcohol intake
We’re not saying that you can’t have a drink, but as with anything in life all things should be taken in moderation. Drinks such as red wine will easily stain your teeth while drinks high in acid will also cause damage to your teeth. When drinking long drinks with a mixer it’s best to use a straw as this will minimise the amount of contact that your teeth have with sugary mixers.
Don’t rinse after brushing
Rinsing your mouth after brushing actually gets rid of the fluoride from your toothpaste meaning that your teeth may be clean, but they are not protected. Instead of rinsing just spit out the toothpaste after brushing and leave the residue on the teeth to help them stay protected. This is easier to do at night before bed rather than in the morning.
Brush your tongue
Your tongue can build up plaque just as easily as your teeth so when brushing your teeth don’t forget to also gently brush your tongue. Not brushing could lead to bad mouth odour as well as other dental health problems. Many toothbrushes have sections specially created for brushing your tongue, usually on the back of the brush.
Drink plenty of water
Whether during a meal, after a sweet treat or following an alcoholic beverage, drinking plenty of water will help to keep your mouth fresh and healthy. In many towns and cities water has added fluoride which protects your teeth as well as helping to rinse bad bacteria from your mouth. Get in the habit of drinking water with meals and you will enjoy healthier teeth.