Keeping your teeth and gums happy and healthy should be something you think about every day. Without the right care, your teeth and gums can develop problems that are much more difficult to treat than they are to prevent. With this in mind, it’s vitally important that you prioritise your dental care. To keep your mouth healthy and prevent tooth and gum-related problems, consider making these five habits a part of your daily routine.
This may be an obvious tip, but it’s more important than ever to remind ourselves of the importance of brushing our teeth. After all, more and more people have started working from home this year, so it’s no surprise that morning routines have changed significantly. If you aren’t leaving the house in the morning, it can be easy to forget about brushing your teeth. However, brushing your teeth at least twice a day can help to avoid plaque build-ups and other issues, so find ways to remind yourself at a set time every morning.
Flossing your teeth and using mouthwash should both be as important to your daily dental care routine as brushing your teeth. After all, both practices can help to budge plaque and debris and prevent them from building up between and on the surface of your teeth. Make sure to floss gently and to rinse with mouthwash at least once a day for fresh breath and healthy gums!
If dental care problems go undetected and untreated, they can develop and worsen over time. For this reason, it’s important to inspect your teeth daily to look for any visible signs of damage or plaque build-up. This shouldn’t be in place of dental check-ups, but it can help you figure out if you need to visit your dentist sooner than your scheduled appointment. Getting to know your teeth is vital, so spend just a few moments inspecting them next time you brush.
As part of your daily dental care routine, try to avoid habits that are known to damage your teeth and gums. For example, while we’re all partial to a sweet treat or two, eating foods that are high in sugar on a daily basis can make your teeth vulnerable. However, sugary foods aren’t the only culprit. Acidic foods and drinks, including alcohol, can also be responsible for tooth damage. This is because they wear away enamel, which can leave your teeth vulnerable to decay.
While it isn’t always possible to avoid sugary and acidic foods altogether, try to limit how many you eat every day. Drinking a glass of water after eating can also slow down the weakening of enamel.
As we’ve just mentioned, drinking water can help to protect your teeth against sugary and acidic foods - so it’s important to stay hydrated! Drinking water stimulates saliva production which is your mouth’s natural defence against enamel-wearing foods and drinks. Next time you want a slice of cake or fruit salad, wash it down with a glass of water for extra protection.
Practising these five daily dental care habits should help to keep your teeth and gums healthy, but attending regular check-ups at Manor Road Dental Practice is also vital. Based in Swansea, we offer a range of general and cosmetic dentistry services designed to protect your teeth and keep you smiling. To schedule your next appointment with our team of qualified dental professionals, contact us today.