You rely on your teeth not only to chew food, but also to help you speak. A great smile can also give you confidence and help you light up the room. So, how do you go about keeping your teeth healthy, strong, and perfect over the years?
Sadly, there is no way to 100% guarantee you’ll never develop a cavity or other minor dental problem. However, you can greatly reduce your risk of dental problems by taking better care of your teeth and gums. With that in mind, take a look at our ultimate guide for maintaining perfect dental health. If you follow these steps, we’re confident your teeth will stay healthy, strong, and beautiful for years to come.
Brush Thoroughly
The best thing you can do for your teeth is to brush them at least twice a day. However, a rushed brushing session won’t do you as much good as a thorough one. If you rush through brushing and miss the same spots day after day, you may find you develop tartar or even cavities in those areas.
A good way to become a more thorough brusher is to use a timer. Set it for 30 seconds, and use that time to focus on a single quadrant of your mouth. When the timer rings, reset it, and work on a different quadrant for 30 seconds. After four 30-second sessions, you’ll have spent only 2 minutes brushing your teeth, and you won’t have skipped any significant areas. Many electric toothbrushes today have built in timers that will automatically vibrate once you’ve completed a quadrant of your teeth.
Remember to Floss
Many people remember to brush their teeth twice a day, but they forget to floss on a regular basis. Flossing does take some time, and if you have not flossed in a while, it can be a little uncomfortable as you might have some gum soreness or bleeding. However, you won’t keep your teeth in good health without a good flossing routine. Brushing alone doesn’t remove sugar and oral bacteria from between your teeth. So, if you skip flossing, you’re more likely to develop cavities in these areas.
If you skip flossing because it is too hard, here are some ways to make it easier:
- Try using flossing picks instead. These little, plastic picks have a piece of floss strung between two prongs. People often find them easier to use than floss.
- Use extra thin floss. It’s easier to fit between teeth that are close together.
- Floss your upper teeth in the morning and the lower teeth at night. Doing half of your mouth at a time can make flossing less stressful.
If you skip flossing because it’s inconvenient or because you’re forgetful, here are some tips:
- Keep floss in your car or at work so you can floss while waiting in the parking lot.
- Set an alarm to remind you to floss each day.
- Pair flossing with an activity you do remember to complete. For example, you could floss after you take your morning vitamin. This strategy is really helpful when it comes to forming new habits.
Use Fluoridated Products
Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel. If you expose your teeth to plenty of fluoride, they’ll be more resistant to cavities and decay.
Most municipal water is fortified with fluoride. However, if you drink bottled water, you may not get a lot of fluoride from your water. Using fluoridated dental products then becomes even more important.
At minimum, you should use a fluoridated toothpaste. All toothpaste that carries the ADA seal contains fluoride. Many so-called “natural” toothpastes do not contain fluoride and are therefore less ideal.
You can also use a fluoridated mouthwash. This will help introduce fluoride to all the little nooks and crannies between your teeth. Just make sure you follow the instructions on the label. Typically, the mouthwash is most effective if you don’t eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after using it.
See Your Dentist
If you want to maintain perfect dental health, the most important thing you can do is see your dentist for regular cleaning appointments. They’ll remove tartar from your gumline. Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that you cannot remove at home. It contains oral bacteria and can lead to cavities and gum disease if not removed.
If you brush and floss regularly, use fluoridated products, and see your dentist for regular cleaning appointments, your teeth should stay healthy and strong. Don’t hesitate to contact Wedgewood Dental if you’re looking for a new dentist in Rolla or Salem, MO. We offer a variety of general and cosmetic dental treatments to keep your smile strong and healthy.