Research shows that many Americans have alarmingly poor oral health. This can lead to gum disease and tooth decay over time. Strengthening your gums and teeth from a young age can provide even better resilience as you get older. And yet, many people aren’t always sure how to have healthy gums and teeth.
Check out our tips below to learn more about how to strengthen teeth and gums while you still can:
- Brush Your Teeth Morning and Night
Up to 66 percent of Americans say that they brush twice daily. And yet, nearly one-third of people believe that brushing once in the morning is enough to maintain your oral health. You definitely need to brush your teeth morning and night. You can also regularly brush your teeth after meals.
Select your toothbrush carefully. Struggling to get to the back of your teeth? You can purchase a toothbrush with a smaller head for improved reach. If you’re concerned about the health of your gums, get a brush with soft bristles to avoid causing them any damage.
How regularly should you replace your toothbrush? When the bristles have started to become splayed, it’s probably time for a change.
- Always Use Fluoride Toothpaste
You shouldn’t worry too much about what kind of toothpaste you use. They largely contain the same ingredients, the rest is mostly marketing. And yet, you should always ensure that your toothpaste contains fluoride. This is the chemical that prevents tooth decay.
- Spend At Least Two Minutes Brushing
We lead very busy lives. Some people claim that they don’t have time to brush their teeth in the morning for more than one minute. In fact, the average American brushes for 1 minute and 52 seconds. That’s not quite long enough. This also suggested that there is a significant number of Americans who brush for quite a lot less than 2 minutes.
You should aim for more than 2 minutes and less than 3 minutes to ensure your teeth are properly brushed. However, it’s also important to consider technique. Ensure that you brush carefully and thoroughly before leaving the house in the morning or going to bed at night.
- Regularly Visit Your Dentist for Check-Ups
Many Americans don’t visit the dentist unless there is something wrong. If you only consult your dentist when you have a toothache, you’re doing it wrong. You need to make sure that you visit your dentist for check-ups around one to two times per year.
This way your dentist can ensure that your teeth and gums stay strong. If there any health concerns, these can be highlighted before it’s too late.
- Floss Your Teeth Regularly
Most people know that brushing your teeth daily is important for oral health. And yet, fewer people realize the importance of flossing to avoid gum disease and tooth decay.
Around four out of ten Americans say that they floss their teeth around once per day. However, it’s unclear whether this can even be trusted. Around 27 percent of Americans say that they also lie to the dentist about how regularly they floss.
Moreover, up to one-fifth of adults in the US say that they never floss. If you want to ensure that your oral health stays in good shape, floss once per day.
- Don’t Drink Too Many Acidic Drinks
Acidic drinks include juice and sodas. When you consume these drinks regularly, this can soften the enamel on your teeth. This subsequently causes you to develop cavities in your teeth.
Essentially, over time your teeth are consumed by the acid. If the drink is also high in sugar content, which they normally are, the effects could be even worse.
Whenever you’re faced with a choice between a soda or a glass of water, you know what to do if you want to keep your dental health.
- Teeth are for Chewing Food
Struggling to open a package? Need to open the bottle top of a beer? You shouldn’t be using your teeth for anything other than chewing your food. This is can cause injury if you misuse your teeth.
- Wear Mouth Protection
Whenever you’re playing sports where your mouth or teeth could be vulnerable to injury, wear protection. Nearly half of children experience some injury to the teeth during childhood. Some of these couldn’t be prevented. But, whenever possible, wear protection.
- Stop Consuming Sugary Foods
Americans eat too much sugar. If you feel like you’re constantly eating candy and chocolate, something’s not right. You need to avoid consuming sugary snacks because this causes your teeth. The sugars in the food produce acids in your mouth.
Just as with directly drinking acidic drinks, these acids further damage your teeth. You need to limit your consumption of anything high in sugar.
- Get Your Teeth Straightened
If your teeth are out of shape, this could cause you some pain later in life. You can ensure that your teeth straightened with Invisalign. You can also discover more about Invisalign here.
You probably already know that looking after your oral health is really important. And yet, you may not know how to strengthen teeth and gums. By following our 10 tips to keep your teeth healthy, you’ll be able to enjoy your beautiful smile throughout your life.
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