Learning how to protect your teeth is essential if you want to keep them healthy. Your teeth are an important part of your appearance and the way you feel about them can affect your confidence levels. It can lead to a person feeling self-conscious during social and professional interactions. In addition, dental health is closely related to overall health. Keeping teeth healthy leads to fewer medical and dental bills down the road.
There are certain things that can be done to protect teeth and gums. These include:
Brushing twice a day helps to protect your teeth. It is best to brush right before going to bed and right after having breakfast. Some people prefer brushing before breakfast to get rid of "morning breath" and that is fine as well. It is best to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and to brush gently.
Fluoride helps to remineralize tooth enamel which protects teeth from tooth decay. The American Dental Association recommends using a toothpaste that contains fluoride since it delivers the mineral directly to the tooth surface.
Patients should not just be going through the motions when brushing. That defeats the purpose. Brushing sessions should last about three minutes and the toothbrush should go over all the surfaces it can reach, including the gums and tongue.
The bristles of a toothbrush simply cannot reach all the tight spaces in the mouth. That is where dental floss comes in. This is used to clean the spaces between teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach. It removes plaque and food particles in these tight spaces.
Teeth are not only exposed to the acids that are created by the bacteria that live in the mouth, but they are also exposed to the acids in food and drinks a person consumes. These acids can soften teeth and dissolve the enamel leading to cavities. Tooth decay will eventually lead to the loss of a tooth if not addressed.
Sugar is one of the worst things a person can expose their teeth to. It clings to tooth surfaces and it is highly-acidic in nature.
Teeth can also become damaged due to trauma during sports or accidents. Patients should always use protective gear like helmets and mouthguards.
Dentists can reinsert a tooth that has been knocked out by trauma. Patients should store the tooth in milk or a saliva solution and head to an emergency dentist immediately.
Teeth are designed for cutting and chewing soft foods, not biting on ice, fingernails or snack packaging. Using teeth for things they are not designed for can damage them.
Patients should see a dentist every six months for a cleaning and an examination. This way, developing issues are noticed early which helps you protect your teeth!
Schedule an appointment with one of our dentists today!
Request a dental appointment here: https://www.titandentalcare.com or call Titan Dental Care at (703) 745-3227 for an appointment in our Sterling dental office.
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