According to data, approximately 78% of U.S. citizens have had at least one cavity by the age of 17 years old.
Dental care can be expensive, and it’s hard to know what you should be doing to keep your teeth clean in-between visits.
Neglecting your dental health can lead to expensive procedures and long-term damage.
But don’t worry. Keep reading and follow these 5 dental care tips to keep your teeth clean and healthy all year long.
1. Eat Healthy Foods
Eating healthy foods is good for your overall well-being, including your teeth! Sugar can increase cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth while eating fruits high in fiber can clean out food particles stuck between teeth.
If you snack on fruits like apples or berries throughout the day, this helps keep food particles from becoming too hard-packed or sticky on teeth, which means fewer cavities!
2. Fight Bad Breath with Good Brushing
Regularly brushing your teeth at least twice per day is a simple way to fight plaque and lower your risk of cavities. Make sure to brush for at least two minutes, using soft circular movements with your toothbrush.
It’s also important not to forget the inside surfaces of your back teeth as this can be commonplace for decaying food particles.
3. Use Floss
Flossing removes plaque from places that a toothbrush can’t reach between the teeth and under the gum line. But it should only be done once per day since flossing too frequently could cause damage to gums.
Simply wrap about an inch-and-a-half of floss around each middle finger so you have four inches in total, then use small movements from one side to the other to get rid of plaque.
4. Watch Your Sugar Intake
Sugar can be a major culprit in tooth decay, especially if you eat sugary foods after your meal instead of brushing your teeth right away. Try to avoid having sugary snacks before bed, and always brush your teeth after eating.
5. Replace Lost Fillings
A broken filling is an invitation for dental decay because food particles enter the crack when you eat or drink acidic items like orange juice or sports drinks. If this happens, replace the filling as soon as possible!
Most dental professionals recommend going in for regular cleanings every six months, but if you have problems with your teeth or gums that need more extensive care then it is important to go in more frequently.
If you’re not sure when your next cleaning appointment should be, talk to your dentist about their recommendations.
Improve Your Dental Care
Dental care is an important part of your overall health. To help you take the best possible care of your teeth, no matter what time of year it is, you need to follow the steps outlined in this post.
Whether you want to improve oral health between visits with a water flosser or toothbrush cleaner, maintain healthy gums by using mouthwash, and switch up your brushing routine, these tips can help anyone!
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