Is getting a dental consultation necessary? Is it really needed? The answer is yes. In fact, the American Dental Association urges everyone to visit their dentist at least once every 6 months for a dental checkup and professional teeth cleaning. Unfortunately, a lot of people are not aware of this and those who know tend to dismiss it thinking that it’s not necessary because they feel fine. What they don’t realize is that regular dental checkups are vital. These visits with your dentist play a major role in keeping your oral health in great shape. Let’s check out other methods on how to keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition.

Brushing Your Teeth Daily

Brushing your teeth once a day is not enough. As a matter of fact, brushing should be done at least twice a day for approximately 2 minutes. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth 30 minutes after a meal. Furthermore, when you brush make sure that you are doing it correctly. If you have been brushing your teeth wrong this whole time don’t be surprised if you succumb to dental issues like gum infection and tooth decay. It’s important to find the right toothbrush. The bristles have to be soft because if you choose the firmer ones it may hurt your gums. The angle of the toothbrush should be 45 degrees facing your gums. Be as gentle as you can. People think that brushing too hard will make their teeth cleaner but the truth is, doing so ins only counterproductive as it causes premature wear and tear of your enamel and it may even injure your gums.

Use Fluoride Based Toothpaste

Another tip to keep your teeth protected is to use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps strengthen your teeth and lowers your risk of developing tooth decay.

Floss In Between Teeth

Brushing is not enough. To keep your teeth in great shape you must also floss every day. There is no cut and dried rule as to when you should floss. Some people prefer to floss before brushing while others prefer to brush first. Either way, it doesn’t matter because what’s important is you floss in between teeth every day to remove food debris. You see, when you brush, the soft bristles won’t be able to reach the narrow spaces between your teeth. Only a dental floss can do that. Flossing keeps bacteria and cavities at bay.

Limit Your Consumption of Acidic Drinks

If you’re fond of drinking sodas and fruit juices you have a high risk of getting cavities. The acids in these drinks will cause your enamel to soften and the minerals in it to dissolve creating tiny holes that will eventually enlarge resulting to deep cavities.

Minimize Consumption of Sugary and Starchy Foods

Similarly, you must also lessen your consumption of foods that are high in starch and sugars. When bacteria in your mouth feed on these sugars it will produce acid that will eat away your enamel.

See Your Dentist Regularly

As mentioned earlier, dental checkups are necessary to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Your dentist is educated, trained and skilled to identify signs and symptoms of oral health problems. The earlier these problems are detected the lesser the chances they will advance and complicate since they will be treated right away. Moreover, we want to stress the importance of professional teeth cleaning. Your dentist has the tools needed to effectively remove plaque and stubborn tartar on your teeth. Sadly, a regular toothbrush can’t remove hardened tartar.

Takeaway

If you follow these tips highlighted here you will surely get to enjoy healthy teeth and gums for a long time. Just so you know, healthy teeth will not only give you an attractive smile but it will also positively impact your overall health and wellbeing. As early as now, discipline yourself to practice oral care at home.