Even if you aren’t exactly terrified of dentists, it’s probably safe to say that heading in for oral surgery of any kind isn’t a prospect that fills you with joy. You have to be a pretty unusual type of person to genuinely relish the thought of having your teeth drilled or yanked – for most people it’s a pretty daunting prospect to say the least.
Which is precisely why the vast majority of adults take extremely good care of their oral health and hygiene. It’s probably safe to say that 99% of us are occasionally guilty of missing the odd brushing here and there, but for the most part we follow the rules as laid out by the experts. Which is why it is all the more annoying and frustrating when the time comes for a dental checkup and you once again have fallen foul of tooth decay.
Armed with the very best electric toothbrush for sensitive teeth on the market and a genuine desire to do what’s right by way of your oral hygiene, you were all but convinced you couldn’t possibly have any problems. In reality however, there is only ever so much anyone can do to prevent or minimise the likelihood of tooth decay – some are simply more predisposed to such problems than others.
But this of course doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to help the cause. Quite to the contrary in fact, so if you’d prefer to be given the all-clear next time you head in for your bi-annual check-up, you might want to bear the following tips, tricks and insights in mind:
1 – Brush Regularly
First of all, try to remember that while you are indeed following the most important rule of thumb by brushing your teeth twice a day, this represents nothing more than the minimum everyday requirement. It’s not to say that you have to spend every hour of every day going mad with the scrubbing, but for the best possible oral health it can be extremely helpful to brush after meals and snacks. Or in instances where brushing is impossible or impractical, the best mouthwash recommended by dentists or even simply rinsing your mouth with clean water can certainly help.
2 – Mouthwash
Speaking of mouthwash, it’s important to remember that there are various different grades and types of mouthwash on the market – all of which are most certainly not of the same quality. Some contain fluoride, some are produced to be as gentle as possible and others deliver outstanding cleaning properties but can be rather on the harsh side. A quality mouthwash that is perfectly suitable for you can be used on a regular basis throughout the day for maximum benefit. If unsure which mouthwash to choose, speak to your dentist.
3 – Ask the Experts
Speaking of which, it’s surprising just how many adults treat trips to the dentist as somewhat one-sided experiences, rarely if ever asking any questions. A private consultation with the dental professionals represents a solid gold opportunity to ask as many questions as necessary and to discuss your current oral hygiene regime. Tell them what you do, when you do it, how you do it and the products you do it with, in order to take home some serious pointers.
4 – Stay Hydrated
One of the most harmful of all bad habits when it comes to oral health in general is insufficient hydration. Like the rest of the body, the mouth requires plenty of moisture to do its job properly and cannot fight germs, bacteria and plaque when the mouth is dry. As such, it is of crucial importance to remain sufficiently hydrated at all times – tap water often proving to be particularly beneficial due to its helpful fluoride content.
5 – Carry Gum
As it isn’t going to be realistically possible to use either a toothbrush or mouthwash after everything you eat or drink, try to get into the habit of carrying gum with you at all times. When you chew sugar-free gum, the chewing action leads to accelerated production of saliva – the natural defender of the mouth that can neutralise acid in a matter of minutes. It isn’t quite the same as giving your teeth a proper clean, but it is certainly better than nothing.
6 – Stave Off Sweets
Two of the very worst things currently known to mankind when it comes to tooth decay are high-sugar soft drinks and sweets. When you think about it, to place a sugar sweet in your mouth and suck on it for 20 minutes or so is to effectively drench your teeth in the kind of sugar and acid that is guaranteed to accelerate decay. The same also goes for sugary soft drinks as the damage they inflict continues long after they are swallowed. If you simply cannot resist these kinds of foods and drinks, be sure to carry gum with you at all times.
7 – Use A Straw
Believe it or not, one of the most effective ways by which tooth decay can be avoided is to use a straw when and where consuming sugary soft drinks or drinks with a high acid content, like fruit juices. It’s basically a case of simple mechanics – you transport the liquid directly to the back of your mouth and in doing so minimise its contact with the teeth. Just for the record, this can also be an effective tactic for minimising the staining effect of tea, coffee, red wine and so on.
8 – Eat Cheese
Cheese? For prevention of tooth decay? Apparently so – one argument in favour of dairy products in general being their high concentration of calcium. However, cheese in particular has shown to significantly increase calcium levels in the mouth after it has been eaten, which along with the saliva produced during its consumption can have a significant and positive impact on tooth protection.
9 – Choose the Right Weapons
Last but not least, it is safe to say that if you have not recently upgraded your hardware and consumables in general when it comes to oral health, this could be a great place to start. There are so many outstanding electric toothbrushes, water flosses and specialist products on the market these days that to continue using substandard equipment is to open the door to cavities, gum disease and worse.
