The 3 Most Important Tips for Healthy Teeth

The teeth are perhaps some of the most important yet easily neglected parts of the human body. The problem is when they remind you that they need care, the pain can be downright debilitating. Here are the three most important tips for healthy teeth you should keep in mind for proper dental health.

Build Healthy Dental Habits

The little, habit-building things really snowball into a healthy dental lifestyle.

• Start your children early – 25% of young children show signs of tooth decay before they ever step inside a classroom. That statistic rises to 50% between the ages of 12 and 15 years old. This is why it’s important to introduce healthy dental habits to children as soon as their first tooth appears. Of course, for toddlers, it’s mostly the parents who will need to ensure habits are built and followed.
• Use just enough fluoride – Not too much, not too little. Fluoride strengthens the enamel of the teeth, preventing decay. 75% of Americans drink fluoridated water. If yours isn’t, or you don’t know whether your water supply is fluoridated, your dentist can tell you how to get the fluoride content you need. Toothpaste and mouthwash brands often have fluoride as well. Be careful though, as fluoride shouldn’t be used as much with kids – they can cause white spots on the teeth if used too much.
• Brush twice and floss once every day – This should be the standard and a staple household habit for everyone. It’s easier to maintain healthy teeth than to fix damaged ones.
• Chew gum or rinse your teeth after meals – An antibacterial rinse after meals works wonders for dental health maintenance. Sugar-free gum can be an effective substitute as well.

Watch Your Mouth

No, you won’t get tooth decay from having a potty mouth (but try to avoid it anyway!) — that’s not what we mean here.

Eat smart – A healthy diet isn’t just great for your overall health, but it also helps maintain dental health. Aim for a well-balanced diet. You want whole foods – fruits and vegetables along with grains, nuts, and dairy products. Also consume a healthy amount of omega-3 fats, the kind found in most fish, as research shows they reduce inflammation and as such can prevent gum disease.

Tone down the sugar – The bacteria in your mouth produce acids that break down your teeth’s enamel whenever they break down the sugar in the food you eat. The situation is worse for sugary drinks because you tend to sip them, slowly raising acidity levels. Candy also tends to worsen the situation, as the sticky stuff lingers on your teeth,

Go smokeless if you smoke tobacco – It’s actually better to just not smoke at all, but if you have to, go smokeless to avoid staining your teeth.

Use mouth guards – When you’re playing sports or other strenuous physical activities that could potentially damage your mouth, wear the proper gear. Your dentist can make you a custom-fitted one. Speaking of your dentist:

Get Your Shreveport Dentist Involved

From prevention to maintenance to cure – your dentist knows best.

• Ask about dental sealants – Remember when we said you should start children early? There are thin protective coatings called dental sealants that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. They help prevent tooth decay. Talk to your dentist about using them when your child is around six years old.
• Make it a point to visit the dentists – Make an appointment and make it a habit to see your dentist on a regular schedule every half a year. Of course, if you have existing dental problems, you’ll have to see the dentist more often.

So build healthy dental habits, watch your mouth, and get your dentist involved – three easy tips for healthy teeth.