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Oral hygiene is crucial to a healthy lifestyle. Taking good care of your mouth and teeth can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Gum disease can increase your risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, and even diabetes. So maintaining your teeth and health is important to the overall balance of your lifestyle. Here are 4 ways to look after your teeth in the best possible way.

  1. Use toothpaste with fluoride.

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by prolonging the breakdown of enamel. This is done by extending the rate of remineralization process where the new enamel becomes more solid and stronger to fight against acid, which causes demineralization. Using toothpaste that contains fluoride can help prevent cavities and strengthen weak spots that can easily be exposed to dirt, grime, and plaque. By brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste, it can help prevent early stages of tooth decay and strengthen exposed roots.

  1. Limit acidic food and drinks

Food acid causes tooth enamel to weaken and wear away, causing demineralization and leaving teeth exposed and prone to sensitivity. This usually causes cavities, caries and tooth decay. Enamel is the outer covering of the tooth, the hardest part that helps protect the gums and the overall health of your teeth. It helps protect teeth from chewing, biting and crunching, and filter out harmful chemicals that may enter your mouth. By avoiding drinks and food with acid, it will allow you to better protect your teeth in the long run. Foods with acid that should be taken sparingly include coke, oranges, coffee, wine, and even tomato products.

  1. Floss daily

When you don’t floss, it increases your risk of gingivitis and cavities between your teeth due to plaque buildup. Buildup can irritate gum tissue, causing inflammation and bleeding as well as provide space for bacteria to build. Flossing at least once a day, especially before bed, is ideal for maintaining healthy teeth and removing any plaque along your teeth. It will help remove bacteria and tartar, that leads to tooth loss, that cannot be removed by regular brushing. Make sure to floss with waxed floss, that’ll help to not shred your teeth.

  1. See a dentist for a regular checkup

Having to visit the dentist regularly may seem like a burden but it is a very important task for your oral hygiene. Regular dental checkups can help detect oral cancer, clean plaque and tartar buildup, fight gum disease and find any unseen problems with x-rays. Dental checkups are not only for cleaning teeth but to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. It also helps correct any habits, such as teeth grinding, you may have that are causing bad oral hygiene. Dental clinics like La Mesa provide services that will keep your teeth in check in the best possible way. 

Oral hygiene is not to be underestimated. By following the proper ways to keep your teeth in check, it also will help your overall health. So, start your dental health journey today.