Most of us are guilty of thinking our teeth are protected just by brushing and flossing. If you want to protect your teeth, you need to be booking regular six-month check-ups with your dentist in Vancouver. As part of your oral healthcare, a professional dental cleaning can top up your daily brushing and flossing. Along with brushing twice a day and visiting your dentist, there are other tips and tricks to keep your teeth healthy and protected.
Five Tips for Protecting Your Teeth
1. Professional Teeth Cleaning
You need a regular six-month check-up with your dentist. It’s an opportunity to identify potential problems early on and to give your teeth some TLC. A professional dental cleaning can remove the stubborn plaque and tartar that you can’t treat with regular brushing. Removing this tartar can prevent issues like gum disease and treat stains before they become irreversible.
Dental cleaning usually treats gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, and involves a three-step process. Your dentist will use a scaler to remove the tartar before polishing your teeth and using fluoride to strengthen your enamel.
2. Don’t Aggressively Brush
While brushing your teeth twice a day is the foundation of your oral hygiene routine, there is a correct technique to brushing your hair. You want to be brushing in circular motions, going front to back on every tooth. If you brush too hard, you can damage the enamel of your teeth, which can lead to gum erosion or sensitivity. The ADA recommends that you should use a soft-bristle toothbrush and can it every three months.
3. Floss Daily
Flossing is one part of the regular oral hygiene routine that can be overlooked. You want to floss daily to remove the debris that gets trapped between your teeth. If you skip flossing, plaque can turn to tartar and lead to permanent staining and gum disease. Both the ADA and CDC recommend daily flossing to help protect your teeth.
4. Add a Mouthwash
Along with brushing and flossing, adding a mouthwash to your daily routine can protect your teeth. Most mouthwash contains chlorhexidine, an antibacterial that helps to prevent gingivitis and reduce plaque. Mouthwash is not a replacement for brushing and flossing but rather an add-on to your routine.
5. Change Your Diet
Your diet has a knock-on effect on your teeth. If you want to protect your teeth, you need to be considering what you’re consuming throughout the day.
WHO recommends that your sugar intake should be less than 10% of your daily calorie intake. You can protect your teeth by eating fruit and vegetables that are rich in fiber, along with dairy products that do not have added sugar.
Instead of drinking soda throughout the day, you should drink water or unsweetened drinks throughout the day. Sugary drinks should be kept for mealtimes and consumed in smaller quantities.
Protecting your teeth is all about having a consistent daily routine with brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. Don’t forget to visit your dentist every six months for a professional clean and to consider your diet. Making small changes can protect your teeth and prevent gum disease.