What Dentists Want You To Know

Dentists are not out to get you and cause you excessive pain. Most of them, in fact, attempt to educate their patients so they won’t have to suffer through the nightmare of unbearable tortures such as root canals and tooth extractions. While there are some problems that can’t be avoided and accidents will happen, most people neglect their teeth far too much which results in unpleasant visits. Those who take the time to care properly for their teeth and gums are rewarded with better health and less pokes with the needle. Here are some top tips that dentists want you to know in order to keep you out of their chairs.

Brush and Floss

The most basic of all oral hygiene tenants has remained unchanged for years. Just brushing properly and flossing daily can help prevent cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and a host of other problems. While it’s a pretty simple idea, many people still do it wrong. At your next teeth cleaning ask your hygienist to go over the proper brushing and flossing methods. You might even ask if they can recommend a good brush and brand of floss. While you don’t need top of the line electric models, some people do better with softer or firmer bristles as well as those that have more angled heads in order to reach tight corners.

Grinding

Many people suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding. If you constantly wake up your partner at night unintentionally, or if you often clench your jaw tightly and feel pain, you might be suffering from this problem. People who chew gum excessively are also prone to problems associated with the wearing down of tooth enamel. Dentists recommend protecting your teeth by wearing night guards as well as exercises and relaxation techniques to help loosen the jaw and any tension that lies there.

Protection

If you play many physical sports or are quite active in general, you’ll want to protect your smile with a tooth guard. These can be bought in the supermarket and then molded at home to fit properly, or dentists can make you a custom pair. These are especially important if you are involved in high contact sports. Chipping teeth or losing them completely can be painful and quite expensive to replace, so it is far easier and worth your while to keep what you already have safe.

Diet

Your diet greatly affects your oral health as dentists will tell you. Most people are already aware that sugar found in treats and soft drinks can slowly destroy your teeth, but there are also many foods that can help promote better oral hygiene. Crunchy fruits and vegetables are great ways to keep your teeth and gums in good shape. There are also plenty of vitamins you need to be getting from you daily foods in order to keep your smile in top form. Avoid the sticky and sugary treats and stick to nutritious items.