Your teeth are essential as they allow you to tear food apart and grind it into small enough pieces to eat. It is difficult to survive without teeth, you’ll be limited to a liquid diet. What you may not appreciate is that teeth also play an important part in producing sounds. You’ll find it harder to speak clearly if you don’t have teeth.
But, that’s not all, your teeth are also essential for your smile. If you have bad teeth then you are less likely to smile. This will have a knock-on effect on when you smile and your confidence in social situations.
In short, teeth are important, you only get one adult set of them, and you need to use these five tips to keep them in great shape.
- Visit the Dentist
Visiting the dentist means picking up the phone and contacting them to arrange an appointment. It’s that simple. You should be visiting them at least once a year unless the dentist tells you they need to see you more often.
A reputable Sydney Park dentist will inspect your teeth, give you cleaning and brushing tips, and will be able to identify any issues early. This will help them to take preventative steps. The aim is to look after the teeth you have and help to ensure they last as long as possible.
With care, they can last all your life.
- Brush Daily
You should brush your teeth every morning and evening. It is important to brush for two minutes each time and ensure you do all your teeth. To void using excessive pressure and potentially damaging your gums, you’ll find it best to hold your toothbrush with just one finger and your thumb.
The toothbrush should be at a 45° angle to your teeth where they join the gum, this will help to ensure you remove as much plaque and debris as possible.
- Floss
Flossing allows you to remove plaque and debris that forms between the teeth. These are the bits that can’t be got by brushing alone.
It can take a little practice to be comfortable using dental floss but, once you’ve mastered it the process is quick and will help to protect your teeth.
- Avoid Sugar
It is impossible to completely avoid sugar as it is in most foods and your body needs some for energy. But, you can limit your sugar intake. This will also reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity.
Of particular importance is avoiding sugar between meals. Snacking is one of the worst things you can do for your waistline and your teeth. It’s time to stop.
- Hydrate
Your body is 60% water (source), it’s essential to the correct function of all your cells; carrying nutrients in and toxins out. Water is also good for your mouth as it can dilute harmful acids and help to wash food debris away, says UIC.edu. The best approach is to sip water regularly throughout the day, it will also help you to stay hydrated.