The Dentist Wants You To Follow These Rules For Better Oral Health

If you haven't been to the dentist in a while, or yours isn't one inclined to hand out advice (some aren't, for some reason), you may be wondering if you're doing all you can to improve your oral health. It's easy to brush once a day and avoid eating taffy, but is that really enough? For some people, it may be. But for most, it really isn't. Your teeth are constantly being put to the test. We evolved from a species with a relatively short life span to one with a relatively long one. Most of this change, however, is not due to internal factors, but external ones like society and modern medicine. If you don't take advantage of modern medicine, though, then you might as well be living in the dark ages. Here are some tips to help you care for your teeth.

1. Brush twice daily. You should brush at least twice daily—once in the morning and once before you go to bed. Your dentist may even recommend brushing after every meal, which isn't a bad habit to get into. Of course, this can be inconvenient, which is why many people don't bother. But brushing twice daily is a must, and it can keep food and bacteria from staying in your teeth to rot and cause cavities.

2. See your dentist regularly. Going in for a dental appointment every six months is a vital part of keeping your oral health at a top notch level. Professional tooth cleaning goes well beyond what is possible with over the counter methods and will help you avoid gingivitis and tooth decay. Additionally, oral health problems can develop silently. You may not notice symptoms until major damage has been done. By having your teeth examined regularly, you can catch problems before they get to that point.

3. Use floss. Dental floss isn't fun to use. It's tedious and it adds several minutes to a brushing regimen. Nonetheless, it is one of the most important aspects of having healthy gums. Gum disease affects a large percentage of the population and much of this could be avoided if flossing was a more ubiquitous routine. The next time you're thinking about whether or not flossing is worth it, ask your dentist and see what he has to say about it.

4. Diet. Much is made about sugar and its effect on obesity rates and heart disease. While these correlations are proven, sugar in the diet has more immediate effects as well. Candy, soda, and other foods with a lot of sugar can wreak havoc on a set of teeth. Avoid these foods if you're serious about having impeccable oral health.