7 Things You Can Do to Save the Teeth for a Lifetime

Source: Willow Run Dental

But as much as we talk about weight loss and wrinkles as we age, we often forget that our teeth are a larger area of concern as well. 

Not to mention, we know that people with the healthiest smiles are those who understand the value of taking care of their teeth with a healthy lifestyle. 

But the good thing is that it is never too late to start taking control of your oral health, which is why I have come up with 7 methods for saving teeth for a longer time. 

1. Brush your Teeth Twice a Day

The most important step in developing good habits for protecting your teeth is brushing your teeth twice a day.

Brush your teeth twice daily and for two minutes each time using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. 

This will help clean food and bacteria from your mouth. Brushing also washes out small particles that eat away at your teeth and cause cavities.

Additionally, how you brush is equally important, if you brush your teeth poorly then it is almost as bad as not brushing at all. 

So, take your time, moving the toothbrush in gentle, circular motions to remove plaque. Unremoved particles can harden, leading to calculus buildup and gingivitis (early gum disease).

2. Avoid sugary Foods and Drinks

Do you feel that your teeth are fuzzy or rough? If so, you may need to start avoiding sugary food and drinks. 

Source: SkinnyMs.

Plaque loves to eat sugar and uses it to create cavity-causing acid. You may especially feel plaque on your teeth after you eat sugary foods. 

For that, it is essential to check labels in the store since many foods we think are healthy but they are not good to save the teeth. 

For instance, some flavors of yogurt can have a lot of sugar, and sports drinks often contain more sugar than the average person should consume. 

Also, it is important to highlight that it is not just yogurt or sports drinks, but diet soda also harms our teeth. 

That is why limiting sugary foods and drinks will make it easier for you to avoid oral health issues and can also save a dying tooth naturally.

3. Floss your teeth once a day

Plaque also loves to hide where our toothbrush bristles can’t reach. That is why it becomes so important for you to floss once a day regularly. 

It will help to remove plaque hidden in between your teeth and along the gum line. 

As a result, flossing helps prevent cavities from forming in between teeth so you can avoid an unpleasant surprise during your next teeth cleaning or oral checkup. 

4. Get Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a special type of coating generally applied to newly erupted molars in children, but we as adults can use dental sealants too. 

Food and bacteria can become trapped in these grooves, leading to tooth decay (cavities) over time. Sealants coat these areas so that bacteria can’t reach them.

So your dentists can place sealants to save your teeth from disease-causing bacteria. 

5. Use a mouth rinse once a day

Many dentists recommend using a fluoride mouth rinse to help strengthen tooth enamel. 

Using mouth rinse helps wash away any residual plaque or food particles that could be left behind even after brushing and flossing. 

Source: Gregory Balog

Fluoride plays an important role in the prevention of caries, and improving oral and dental health. 

The most common way of fluoride use is the use of a fluoride-containing mouthwash, the most important of which in use is 0.2% sodium fluoride mouthwash.

Additionally, You can take your dentist's help to choose a brand that works for you.

6. Avoid smoking, chewing tobacco, and alcohol

Smoking is one of the most dangerous habits for your oral health. It causes tooth discoloration, plaque or tartar build-up, gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer. 

Plus, smoking reduces your mouth’s ability to heal after an injury. Similarly, tobacco and alcohol can be devastating substances for your oral health. 

When you drink alcohol it dries your mouth, reducing saliva production which allows bacteria and plaque to flourish. 

Also, there are a lot of alcohols that are sugary and acidic which leads to tooth decay and eventually tooth loss. 

It has also been proven by Cancer Research UK, that people who regularly consume alcohol are more likely to develop oral cancer than non-drinkers.

7. See your Dentist every 6 months 

It is highly recommended to have a teeth cleaning and oral examination every 6 months to save the teeth and overall oral health. 

During a teeth cleaning process, your dental hygienists will be able to gently scrape away plaque and tartar. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it can only be removed by a professional dentist. 

So if you visit your dentist every 6 months it will ultimately improve your smile, prevent plaque and tooth decay, and stop gum disease. 

That’s why it is suggested to have regular appointments with your dentist because that can transform your overall oral hygiene routine.

Lastly, as you know now these 7 good habits to save teeth, it is time to adopt them and let your friends and family know how they can protect their oral health as well.