Avoid Losing Your Teeth

A broken smile is not the most comfortable thing in the world. Imagine smiling wide only to flash missing teeth and swollen gums. Believe it or not, people will judge you based on the state of your dental health.

What Causes Tooth Loss?

Tooth loss is primarily caused by tooth decay. Tooth decay refers to your tooth’s damage, specifically in the enamel. Enamel is the semi-transparent film that protects your teeth from acid and from deteriorating quickly. However, enamel can also be eaten up by too much acid in your mouth and bacteria that come from plaque. If tooth decay is not treated early on, it can lead to infection and tooth loss.

How Do You Avoid Tooth Loss?

Fortunately, there are many ways for you to prevent ever getting tooth loss. Here are some oral care tips that you should follow.

• Consistently practice oral hygiene

This advice is simple but it can also be hard to do especially if you need to do it consistently. Oral hygiene involves brushing your teeth, flossing, gargling, and other things that involve cleansing your mouth from food and drink residue.

On average, you are supposed to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. This makes sure that no food gets left behind that can possibly build up into plaque.

• Use the right tools for your teeth and gums

Practicing good oral hygiene will not be possible if you don’t have the right tools for it. Your toothbrush plays a huge role in keeping the bacteria at bay so make sure that you choose the right one.

According to dentists, it’s preferable to have a toothbrush that has fine bristles. This kind of bristles is thin enough to reach in between your teeth and to remove the excess food that was stuck there. To add to that, it is soft enough to brush against the enamel.

• Don’t neglect your gums

Gums are another neglected part of a lot of people’s oral routine. It might not look obvious, but healthy gums are needed in order to avoid tooth loss. Without healthy gums, your teeth will not be strong enough to stay in place.

If you have neglected your gums for so long, now is the time to brush up on your gum care. See a dentist to check if you already have swollen gums caused by tooth decay. Usually, if your dentist finds this, then he or she will recommend gargling an antibacterial solution.

• Be mindful of what you eat

Your food also has a big part in your oral health. It’s a known fact that too many sweets can lead to tooth decay. While it is impossible to have a sugar-free diet, what you can do is manage the sweets that you eat every day. A piece of chocolate every day is okay for as long as you eat a bigger amount of fruits and vegetables. For the sake of your teeth, you should also avoid munching on junk foods and hard candies.

• Visit your dentist regularly

Another thing you can do to prevent tooth loss and tooth decay is make regular visits to the dentist. During these visits, your dentist will assess the state of your teeth and gums. Not only are these visits a must if you want to keep your teeth healthy, but they also spot problems early on. For example, your dentist can identify plaque build-up right away so you already do something about it. Usually, 2-3 visits a year is already enough.

• Quit smoking

Lastly, you have to quit smoking. There’s no way around it even if there are e-cigar alternatives in the market today. Smoking damages your teeth in two ways. The substance in your cigarettes can cause your teeth to yellow and eventually darken. Think of it as adding layers of color to your teeth. Over time, it will be hard to reverse discoloration.

Smoking also damages your teeth by causing dry mouth. Dry mouth means there is a lack of saliva which is necessary for washing away the bacteria that get stuck in your teeth or gums.

When it comes to tooth loss, prevention is always the best way to avoid it. It may seem difficult but eventually, good oral hygiene can turn into a habit if you practice it consistently.