Last updated on August 16th, 2023
Do you know that keeping your and your children’s teeth healthy is very important for overall health? Recent studies proved that teeth and gum diseases might lead to other health problems like heart disease. The good news is, there are some easy ways to keep your teeth healthy and strong. In this post, you will find some of these ways:
1. Teach Your Children to Keep Their Teeth Clean
Studies show that one in four children have tooth decay problems before they start school. Also, almost half of all children have cavity problems at the age of 12 to 15. To prevent early teeth problems, you should start teaching your children to take care of their teeth by letting them brush their teeth at about age two. Also, the first teeth of your baby can be wiped clean with a soft cloth or brush.
2. Use a Sufficient Amount of Fluoride
Fluoride has an essential impact on teeth health. Some of the benefits of fluoride use are that it strengthens enamel and decreases the risk of teeth decay. Therefore, you may want to use water, toothpaste, and mouth rinse containing fluoride. But be careful that too much fluoride may cause white spots on teeth, so do not use more than a pea-sized dab on the toothbrush.
3. Floss Once and Brush Twice a Day
Flossing and brushing should be a daily routine for everybody regardless of age. Also, it is crucial to renew your toothbrushes at least 3 to 4 times a year. If your teenage child is using braces, he or she should use a special toothbrush or some other hygiene tools to clean his/her teeth. In addition to flossing and brushing, you should always rinse your mouth with an antibacterial rinse after meals to reduce the risk of decay and gum problems. Additionally, it is a excellent idea to chew sugar-free gum after meals since increasing saliva flow washes bacteria away naturally and neutralizes the acid.
4. Do not Smoke and Eat Smart
Smoking and chewing tobacco significantly increase the risk of oral cancer and gum disease. For your overall health and well-being, if you smoke, you should seriously consider quitting. Also, you need to counsel your children not to start. In addition, eating smart at every age is essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy. A healthy and well-balanced diet, which includes grains, fruits, and vegetables, fish, nuts and dairy products, helps you get all the necessary nutrients. Moreover, you need to reduce sugary foods as much as you can to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Remember, soft drinks, fruit drinks, and carbonated and also sticky candies are terrible for your dental health.
5. Have a Dental Checkup Twice a Year
Regular dental check-up is very important. So you should visit your dentist at least two times a year. However, if you have some problems like gum disease, you should visit your dentist more often. Thanks to these regular dental examinations, you will be aware of many problems at an early stage. For example, your routine dentist visits may spot the early signs of tooth grinding (bruxism), gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis), tooth decay, and oral cancer.
