Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in the world. It’s estimated that 92% of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 will have at least one cavity.
Left untreated, it can lead to pain, chewing problems, and tooth loss. That’s not all—it can also lead to abscesses, which can turn into potentially life-threatening infections.
Fortunately, all of this is preventable with proper oral care.
Want to up your dental game? Looking for a guide on how to get better teeth? If so, you’re on the right page. We’ll be going over some helpful tips below.
Keep reading to learn more!
1. Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
Brush your teeth at least twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening—for two minutes each time. The goal is to remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, from your teeth before it hardens into tartar.
For the best results, use fluoride toothpaste. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and move it back and forth with small circular motions. Make sure to brush all sides of your teeth—this includes the inner surface, outer surface, and chewing surface.
Avoid scrubbing; that can make your gums recede, which will make your teeth more vulnerable to decay.
2. Floss At Least Once a Day
Floss your teeth at least once a day. It’ll remove food and plaque between the teeth, something that you can’t do with regular brushing.
The way that you floss is also important. You want to curve the floss into a “C” shape so that it hugs the side of your tooth. From there, gently move it up and down—it should go slightly below the gum line.
If you don’t floss, you’ll be missing more than one-third of your tooth surface and that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
3. Limit Sugary Foods
Limit sugary foods such as candy and desserts. Bacteria inside your mouth will feed on the sugar, releasing acid as a waste product. Ultimately, it’s this acid that will damage your tooth enamel.
Similarly, you want to avoid starchy foods—things like crackers, pasta, chips, and bread. They’ll break down into simple sugars over time, and they too will attract acid-producing bacteria.
Opt for fiber-rich fruits and vegetables instead. Avoid processed foods as many also contain added sugar.
If you must eat sugary foods, rinse your mouth with water afterward. It’ll help wash away the sugar from your teeth.
4. Use a Mouthwash
Consider using a mouthwash before or after brushing your teeth. Simply pour it into a cup (use only the recommended amount) and empty it into your mouth. Swish and gargle for 30 seconds before spitting it back out—it’ll reach the areas that brushing and flossing might miss.
Some ingredients that you want to look for include fluoride (for fighting tooth decay) and chlorhexidine (reduces plaque and controls gingivitis).
Avoid those with alcohol as they tend to be very harsh and drying. Not only can they cause a burning sensation, but they can also wipe out the good bacteria in your mouth and that can contribute to bad breath.
5. Don't Smoke
Smoking can prevent you from having beautiful teeth. For one thing, it can cause tartar to build up—this is due to the fact that nicotine reduces saliva production. Plus, it can stain your teeth.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the chemicals in cigarettes can also lower your immune system, increasing your risk of gum disease. In fact, smoking is one of the main causes of periodontitis in the United States. Left untreated, the tissue that holds your teeth in place can break down, resulting in tooth loss.
6. See a Dentist Regularly
Visit the dentist once every six months. They’re the only ones who are able to remove hardened tartar aka calculus from the teeth.
They’ll also be able to check for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues. In some cases, they may also take x-rays of your mouth; it’ll give them a better view of your teeth and gums so that they'll be able to identify problems such as cavities. If you need a recommendation, you can get rid of teeth stains with the dentist in avon lake.
By treating problems early, it’ll also save you money in the long run. For example, it’s much cheaper to get a filling than it is to get a root canal (refer to this article for more information about preventive dentistry).
7. Chew Gum After Meals
Chewing sugar-free gum can help reduce tooth decay by increasing the flow of saliva. More specifically, it can help wash away the acids that are produced by cavity-causing bacteria. Not only that, but it'll also neutralize plaque pH, which will offer another layer of protection.
For example, you can chew gum sweetened with xylitol, mannitol, maltitol, or sorbitol. Unlike regular sugar, they’re non-cariogenic. That is, they won't cause cavities.
Tip: Look for a gum with the ADA seal. It means that the product meets the safety and efficacy requirements for sugar-free chewing gum.
How to Get Better Teeth - Explained
And there you have it—a short guide on how to get better teeth. As you can see, there are several things to consider when it comes to caring for teeth. Remember, it’s always easier to prevent problems than to fix problems.
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