The health of your teeth and gums can directly impact your overall health. Keeping to a schedule can help you maintain your oral hygiene while keeping away gum disease and complications like heart attacks and strokes. Read these expert tips to keep your pearly whites healthy and strong.
Look for Changes In Your Mouth
Saliva helps to prevent tooth decay and neutralizes acids in the mouth. Age and certain medications can affect the glands in the mouth, leading to less production of saliva. This can cause a condition called dry mouth and lead to faster tooth decay.
Brush Regularly
Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice daily using a fluoridated toothpaste. When it comes to removing plaque buildup, electric toothbrushes have shown better results than manual toothbrushes. Keep in mind that aggressive brushing and tooth whitening pastes tend to weaken and wear down tooth enamel.
Flossing Is Important
Flossing allows you to clean hard-to-reach areas between teeth that are inaccessible to toothbrushes. Apart from the variety of tooth floss, interdental brushes can help remove plaque buildup from bigger gaps between teeth and gums. Studies have shown that flossing is more effective if done before brushing.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Annual checkups can go a long way in keeping your teeth healthy. Apart from keeping gum disease in check, many dentists also offer oral cancer screening. Diabetics and smokers may require more frequent checkups.
Eat Good Foods
Experts advise eating fair amounts of dairy products and fruits that are rich in vitamin C to keep your teeth healthy. While dairy products like cheese and yogurt contain calcium and phosphorus, citrus fruits and leafy greens promote healthy gum development. Avoiding carbonated beverages and sticky sugar-rich foods can help reduce decay.
Look Into Dental Insurance
Dental services are not covered under most insurance plans. Depending on the services availed, dental expenses could become costly and have you spending out of pocket. Shopping around for the right coverage may be a good idea that can affect your oral health and finances.
By following these tips and with a good oral hygiene routine, you could be on your way to having a healthy mouth and teeth well into your senior years.