What You Should Be Doing Regularly for Your Teeth

A smile can go a long way, whether it’s to make a good first impression at a job interview or to make a stranger’s day a little brighter. To keep your smile sparkling, it is important to maintain regular oral hygiene. As you take regular care of your teeth, they will become something for you to be proud of and smile instead of grimace at.

Brush and Floss Daily

Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is equivalent to regularly taking out the trash: it keeps things fresh and prevents any unwanted build-up. Because of the different things you eat and drink throughout the day, a variety of bacteria are introduced to your mouth and teeth. If these bacteria are not regularly cleaned off by brushing and flossing, they can penetrate and otherwise damage the enamel, the protective coating on your teeth.

Visit the Dentist Every Six Months

You might be tempted to think that brushing daily is sufficient oral hygiene. Brushing is important, but you tend to miss spots that dentists can reach. Dentists are trained and have the specific tools and mirrors to safely reach all parts of your teeth that need cleaning—even the spots that are at odd angles or in tiny crevices that your toothbrush cannot reach. Regularly visiting your dentist can also alert you of any problems with your teeth before they become extremely painful such as cavities or root canals.

Avoid Grinding Your Teeth

Grinding your teeth can permanently ruin them by chipping away at or scraping off the enamel and exposing the sensitive nerves underneath. People often grind their teeth at night while sleeping, which they may not be aware of since it happens while they are unconscious. You can ask a family member or friend who has seen or heard you sleeping if you are prone to grinding your teeth. One way to remedy teeth grinding is to invest in a custom mouthguard provided and fitted by your dentist to wear while sleeping.

While your teeth seem like a small part of your body, they require a decent amount of attention. This is because of how often you use them to eat and how much they are exposed to elements outside of your body. Sore teeth can be incredibly painful but can usually be avoided through regular oral hygiene and visits to the dentist.

Check out this article on dental problems that you need to get checked!