Given the choice, it’s safe to say that everyone would like to hang onto strong and healthy teeth for life. Nevertheless, there will always be those who seem to hold onto theirs much longer than others. The question being – why?
Is there some kind of secret to keeping teeth as strong and healthy as possible for a lifetime? Or is it just a case of luck?
The answer…well, it’s actually neither of these. Instead, it all comes down to a set of simple lifestyle habits that come together to make all the difference.
So if you’d like to hang on to your own strong and healthy smile for a whole lifetime, here are 10 simple tips to help make sure it happens:
- Start Early
First of all, while going back in time clearly isn’t an option, starting early in terms of good dental hygiene habits should be considered mandatory. As far as dental experts are concerned, it’s important to begin implementing consistent dental care the moment a child’s first tooth appears. The later you leave it, the more likely they are to develop a wide variety of issues, further down the line. By the age of two, kids should be getting their first taste of brushing for themselves. - Quality Hardware
Make no mistake about it – the quality of the hardware you use to clean your teeth each and every day can and will make a big difference. For example, the best electric toothbrush on the market is always going to outperform even the best manual brush. Likewise, leading water flossers from reputable brands go over and above the cleaning capabilities of traditional dental floss. If you want to hold onto your teeth for life, you need to look after them using the very best tools available. - Use Fluoride
There hasn’t been an advance in everyday dental healthcare during the last century quite as important as the discovery of the benefits of fluoride. There’s really nothing that can help ensure your teeth remain in good condition better than a quality fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. That said, too much of a good thing should be avoided at all costs. So whatever fluoride products you use, be sure to use them only in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. - Brush Twice a Day
It sounds obvious, but research suggests that far too many adults across the world still regularly miss morning or evening brushings. Which might not sound like a big deal, but is exactly the kind of thing that can contribute to serious oral health problems. If you are not consistently and thoroughly brushing your teeth twice a day, you are headed for trouble – it really is as simple as that. - Rinse or Chew Gum
Every time you eat or drink something sugary or with a high acid content, it is a good idea to either rinse your mouth with a quality mouthwash or chew sugar free gum. In both instances, most of the harmful agents that stand to damage your teeth are quickly neutralised, in order to prevent damage from occurring. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t always a good idea to brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking. If you do plan to brush after eating or drinking, leave it at least 30 minutes before going ahead. - Can the Clenching
Millions of people all over the world grind their teeth to one extent or another. In some instances, you might not even know you are doing it – particularly if it happens during your sleep. Nevertheless, grinding and clenching are the kinds of things that can slowly but surely damage and even destroy your teeth. It’s just that you might not notice the damage until it is too late to do anything about it. If you suspect for one moment that you are clenching or grinding your teeth at any time of day or night, you should think about taking action to minimise or prevent it. - Don’t Smoke
If you genuinely see for one moment the kind of damage it does to your body, you’d probably never smoke again. Once again though, it’s the kind of thing where you don’t tend to pick up on most of its effects until it is too late to do anything about them. Smoking has a horrific effect on overall oral health, which can in turn do a number on your teeth. Not to mention, overall physical health in general. - Eat Well
The dietary choices you make throughout life will have an enormous and on-going impact on your overall health and wellbeing. The healthier your body in general, the healthier your teeth and gums will remain as a result. Plenty of fruits and vegetables, a careful watch over daily nutrients, avoiding too much fat and so on – whatever it takes to keep your body in the best possible condition. And of course, this also means keeping an eye on what you drink as well. - Avoid Sugary Foods
Well, if you need a certain amount of sugar in your diet, it’s a good idea to avoid taking things to extremes. For one thing, sugar has a direct impact on the health and strength of your teeth from the moment it enters your mouth. Along with this, too much sugar can also have a detrimental effect on your overall physical health. Which as mentioned above can have a knock-on effect on the health of your teeth and gums. - See a Dentist
Last but not least, one of the most important rules to follow when it comes to holding onto healthy teeth and gums for life is to see a dentist on a regular basis. This means making an appointment at least once every six months, or more frequently if you have any specific dental health issues. Seeing the dentist isn’t just about correcting problems – it’s also about detecting and avoiding potential problems before they are given time to manifest.