Teeth. They’re with us for life, so it only makes sense that we look after them, right? Despite our best efforts, we have all been guilty of letting our oral health fall by the wayside. So we thought we’d share 3 of our top secrets to getting the most longevity out of our pearly – or not so pearly – whites. Read on for more...
1. Not flossing
We know, we know – we hate to sound like a broken record. But flossing is just as important as brushing to the health and vitality of your teeth. We love flossing because it helps to remove build-up that your toothbrush is inevitability going to miss, even if you’re a pro at contorting your brush into the most obscure of angles. Many patients are deterred from flossing initially when they notice their gums bleeding – this is because their mouths aren’t yet used to the dental floss picking up and removing plaque and food trapped between teeth. Once you get into the habit of flossing regularly, the bleeding should subside. Your dentist can demonstrate how to use dental floss effectively and safely to maintain great oral hygiene and a bright smile.
2. Aggressively brushing
The harder we scrub, the cleaner they’ll be! We proclaim. Contrary to popular belief, this one is a load of baloney. Brushing too hard on your teeth and gums, using a toothbrush with tough bristles or combining these two evils will leave your teeth more sensitive and tender, wearing down the enamel and increasing the likelihood of fillings, root canals and tooth extractions needed later on. Similarly, overbrushing teeth (i.e. more than twice daily brushings) might stem from a fear of bad breath, but will worsen your teeth’s health. If you still have lingering oral hygiene issues after adjusting your brushing habits, then a chat with your dentist can talk you through options that won’t compromise the health of your teeth.
3. Diet
This one is a no-brainer. The better quality foods and drinks you put into your system, the more your teeth will thank you for it. Lollies, fizzy drinks and sports drinks are the biggest culprits that rot away at our teeth, jam packed full of additives. What’s more – the big sports drink companies fail to mention that they are aware their products heighten the risk of consumers developing dental erosion. As dentists, we recommend eliminating the quantity of sugary foods and drinks in your diet, and where possible, using straws and alternating drinks with water to rinse away the build-up of sugar.
Of course, on top of these daily good habits, booking in regular check-ups with your dentist is a sure-fire way to keep your teeth happy and healthy. Routine visits to see our in-house dentists at Wisdom Dental Emergency can catch gum disease and other oral health problems before they exacerbate. Call us today for free on 1300 217 858 to arrange an appointment or visit https://www.wisdomdentalemergency.com.au.
