Keeping your natural teeth clean and healthy may sound easy, but data shows that roughly 26% of adults have tooth decay without any treatment. More so, 46% of adults aged thirty and above present signs of gum disease, while another 9% suffer from extreme periodontitis. If you have sustained teeth problems that necessitated an extraction, you may want to consider Monterey bone grafting to help your recovery. Below are five proven ways to maintain proper oral health:
Flossing
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is customary for most people, but flossing is not part of their oral hygiene regimen. Even those who attempt flossing may not be doing it correctly, rendering it useless. The next time you floss, wrap the floss tightly and pass it gently between your teeth.
Perform this movement beneath the gum lines about twice and preferably in front of a mirror for guidance. If you notice bleeding when flossing, this could signify gum disease. Continued flossing should alleviate the signs of onset gingivitis, but consult your dentist if the bleeding carries on after two weeks.
Avoid staining teeth
Beverages like coffee and red wine are notorious for staining your teeth if you consume them too often. The superficial stain is easy to remove with professional teeth cleaning, but internal staining affects the enamel. If you must have your glass of red wine, tea, or coffee, try rinsing your mouth with water afterward or drink from a straw instead.
Straighten your teeth
Crooked teeth or misaligned teeth are not the most attractive thing to look at, which can impact your smile. Some people get an open bite, underbite, or other anomalies that affect their smile and, in turn, affect their self-esteem. Straightening your teeth solves such problems developed from childhood, and it doesn’t matter how old you are. Invisalign treatment is ideal for adults who don’t wish to wear braces and straighten their teeth within a year.
Overall health
Proper oral health goes in tandem with your general health status. If you seek to improve your smile, don’t neglect to address diabetes, hypertension, teeth grinding, obesity, etc. These and other health conditions affect your smile, not just how perfectly your dental formula appears. More so, a weakened immunity makes it harder to treat oral problems like gingivitis. Establish a workout regimen and consume nutrient-dense foods to boost your immunity.
Fill in the missing teeth
Dental caries may necessitate tooth extraction to eliminate the pain. Tooth loss can also arise from trauma sustained in an accident or gum disease. Whatever the reason, having missing teeth leaves gaps that will affect your smile and make the adjacent teeth shift. Dental implants are an easy solution that will restore your natural smile.
Regular dental checkups are essential, so the dentist can examine your teeth and gums to see if problems need addressing. They will perform x-rays and give a proper diagnosis, plus complimentary teeth cleaning if necessary. Postponing treatment paves the way for severe medical issues that will yield suffering and cost more to manage.
