Everyone wants strong and healthy teeth. However, the challenge is keeping your teeth beautiful throughout a lifespan.
As we age, many people experience tooth loss, weaker enamel, receding gums, tooth discoloration, and more sensitive teeth. Therefore, this often means there are more chances of developing cavities, gum disease, and other oral-related problems. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your teeth at a healthy stance for several years down the road. It all starts with proper care. Consider the following dental tips:
#1 Continue seeing a dentist twice a year
As always, taking your biannual trips to the dental (or more if necessary) will allow you the opportunity to get your teeth properly evaluated by a professional to ensure everything is in order. Because the nerves are shorter in older patients, cavities, tooth sensitivity, and other problems often go unnoticed. It often isn’t until their dentist brings up the issue through careful observation that these are found.
Of course, dental cleanings are also very important. Having a deep cleaning ensures less plaque and tartar buildup, therefore less oral-related issues.
#2 Don’t neglect your oral health routine
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash twice a day is important. From the time your first tooth erupts to your golden years, caring for the teeth is always an important matter. An oral care routine can limit oral bacteria that may otherwise cause gum disease, cavities, and other issues in the mouth.
Part of a good oral health routine is knowing when not to brush. Be aware that whenc consuming acidic foods or drinks, wait a minimum of a half hour before brushing to decrease the chances of enamel erosion. Erosion could lead to cavity development and other problems over time.
#3 Eat healthy, nutritious foods
You are what you eat, as they always say. It’s true, and the same goes for your teeth. Eating calcium-enriched foods and drinks (cheese, milk, yogurt, etc.) help provide strong, healthy teeth. Many of these calcium-enriched foods also contain probiotics (good bacteria) that help fight against the bad bacteria in your oral tract and through the rest of your body. Vitamins and minerals are especially vital for healthy teeth. When your body is healthy, your teeth are more likely to be healthy, and vice versa.
It’s also important to keep your sugar intake low. Sugar certainly feeds harmful bacteria, and this is not something you want for the sake of your oral health. Everything in moderation, but be sure that healthy foods are the main component of your diet. Acidic foods and drinks should also be limited as these eat away at the enamel layer of the teeth. As mentioned, waiting a half hour to brush after acid consumption prevents the acids from directly contacting the teeth, thus helping to reduce enamel deterioration.
#4 Limit or quit smoking and drinking alcohol
Smoking increases the risks of oral cancer, tooth loss, cavities, and gum disease. Assuming you want the healthiest set of pearly whites as possible, limiting or quitting smoking would decrease your chances of experiencing these problems. Because alcohol is acidic, and acidic substances contribute to enamel deterioration, limiting alcohol would also contribute to stronger teeth.
The key goal to healthy teeth for a lifespan is to continue to take the proper care for your teeth and attend all of your dental appointments. Keeping your body healthy by intaking nutritious foods and drinks, taking vitamin supplements, or even taking probiotic supplements also contribute to healthier teeth, even over the course of many years.
