Eight tips for a healthy, long-lasting smile

Eight tips for a healthy, long-lasting smile

01st July 2018

They say that a smile can last a lifetime. However, that’s only true if you take care of it. In this post, we’ll provide eight simple tips that you can follow to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong throughout your entire life.

Brush your teeth regularly

Brushing your teeth is the number one thing you can do to keep your teeth healthy. That’s because brushing removes plaque, which is the cause of cavities. So make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially after eating breakfast and before bedtime.

Also, make sure to use fluoride toothpaste rather than “natural” kinds of toothpaste that don’t contain any fluoride. Most brands of toothpaste contain fluoride, but check the packet to make sure it is correct.

Floss your teeth daily

Floss your teeth at least once a day to dislodge bits of food from between your teeth. If you don’t floss, the food will feed bacteria and might eventually cause plaque and cavities.

Use a fluoride mouthwash

If you decide to use mouthwash, then make sure it’s one that contains fluoride. That’s because fluoride helps to strengthen your enamel, thereby helping to prevent cavities.

Visit the dentist regularly

Another way to keep your teeth healthy is to visit your dentist for regular check-ups. We know that finding the time to see a dentist can be difficult, but you still need to do it because it helps to prevent dental problems. For example, if you have a cavity, a dentist can repair it with a filling before it gets worse and requires more serious treatment.

Limit the number of snacks

It’s best to avoid eating snacks because every time you eat, it exposes your teeth to things like sugar and acidity. Stick to eating only at mealtimes, and this will reduce the amount of time your teeth are under attack.

Eat less sugar

It’s a fact that most of us should be eating less sugar. Sugary foods, like biscuits, sweets, cake, and even fruit juice, all put you at a greater risk of developing cavities. Therefore, it’s best to replace sugary foods in your diet with healthier alternatives, such as carrots, celery, nuts and seeds.

Get plenty of calcium

Your teeth and bones need calcium to stay healthy and strong, so it’s important to get enough calcium in your diet. Good sources of calcium include milk, cheese, or, indeed, any dairy foods.

And for people who don’t eat dairy, other good sources of calcium include green leafy vegetables, soya beans, tofu, and nuts. Also, some rice drinks and soya drinks are fortified with calcium.

Wear a mouthguard when playing sport

If you play a contact sport, such as rugby, hockey or football, then you should wear a mouthguard every time you play. After all, you don’t want to lose a tooth if a ball or puck hits you in the mouth. Mouthguards can be obtained from pharmacies, online retailers and your dentist.

Conclusion

We hope that these tips will help you to maintain a healthy, natural smile throughout your life. If you’d like to speak to a dentist about anything we’ve covered, simply call us on 020 8882 3180 and make an appointment.