As time moves on and you get older, the sad truth is that your body starts to get a whole lot more creaky than it was when you were younger. That seems unfair, because you probably now spend a lot less time eating pizza for breakfast and drinking beer for dinner than you did when you were twenty-one. But even if you’ve always treated your body like a temple, it does get a little worn down as the years pass – and one thing that gets particularly tired is often your teeth. It seems a little cruel that we only get one new set of teeth in our life and that’s when we’re about six. But the fact is that your teeth don’t grow back, so you have to take great care of them. Luckily there are plenty of ways you can do that…

Keep Brushing

First and foremost, you should make sure that you keep brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes. When we’re taught dental hygiene as kids, there’s a reason that brushing your teeth is the cornerstone of that – and really the absolute least that you should do. Brushing your teeth removes plaque, which is the sticky film that builds up on your teeth over the day and leads to tooth decay after it interacts with sugars and starches on your food to start slowly eroding your tooth enamel. Use a dentist approved electric toothbrush and make sure you reach into all the nooks and crannies of your mouth, brushing both the fronts and backs of your teeth to make sure they’re all squeaky clean. Wait half an hour after you’ve eaten to brush your teeth, as eating can soften and weaken your enamel, meaning that it’s easier to damage if you brush them then.

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Start Flossing

You might think that you don’t need to floss if you brush your teeth regularly. But on the contrary – flossing will help to remove plaque from areas of your mouth that your toothbrush can’t quite reach, meaning that it’ll help your teeth to become even cleaner and less likely to suffer from decay. Plaque tends to build up between your teeth so it’s important that you remove it. Curve the floss around your tooth carefully and make sure that you take note of any pain or bleeding as that might indicate that you’re suffering from gum disease.

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Eat Less Sugar

You can improve your dental hygiene vastly by cutting down on sugary food and drinks like soda, cookies, cake, chocolate and candy. The sugar can cause tooth decay and cavities – it erodes the enamel because it creates acidic build up in your mouth. It’s time to cut the sugar out of your tea and coffee and make sure that you steer clear of hard candies as they cause more damage as they’re in the mouth for a long time. You could also try to cut down on acidic food, like vinegar, ketchup and pickles. It’s hard to make huge dietary changes so make sure that you just cut down on these foods instead – it’s important that you try everything in moderation.

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Smoke And Drink Less

Unfortunately it’s time to start cutting down on the cigarettes and alcohol – less unfortunately, this is great for your general health and not just your teeth. But dental wise, you’ll find that your teeth are much less likely to be stained yellow if you quit smoking and you’ll be at much less risk for gum disease. You’ll also find that it’s much easier to keep your breath smelling nice. And you’ll also be less likely to suck sugary mints and gum! Meanwhile it’s important to cut down on the booze because like with sugary drinks, alcohol can destroy the enamel on your teeth, leaving you very susceptible to infections. Tell your family that you’re planning to cut down on smoking and drinking so that they can support you. If you’re having problems with it, talk to your doctor or try out a support group. People who are trying to quit smoking often have a lot of success with nicotine patches or inhalers – whatever works for you is best for you.

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Watch Out For Tooth Sensitivity

If you notice that your teeth are sensitive to certain foods or to hot or cold temperatures then it’s a good idea to book an appointment with your dentist to get it checked out as it could be a sign that you’re getting tooth decay. Make sure that you start using a toothpaste that’s suitable for sensitive teeth to brush with. If you have sharp pains, call a company like 24 Hourly Dentists for an urgent appointment.

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Stave Off Bad Breath

You’ve probably already discovered from far too close encounters with strangers and colleagues and sometimes even friends that a lot of people suffer from bad breath. Chances are, if you do, you’re probably so used to it that you don’t even realise. Test to see if you’ve got bad breath by licking the back of your hand. Once the saliva has dried, sniff it. If it doesn’t smell the greatest, then congratulations – you might just have halitosis. Bad breath is often caused by dental problems like tooth decay and tooth infections, so it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist so you can get it sorted out as quickly as possible. Invest in a tongue scraper and remember that although mouthwash can help the problem, it definitely isn’t a permanent solution.

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Go For Regular Check Ups

It’s important that you visit your dentist on a regular basis to get your teeth checked out. You should make sure that you aren’t suffering from gum disease – the early stage of it is called gingivitis and unlike the later stages of gum disease, it’s reversible, so if you suspect you may have that from red or swollen gums then you should get it checked out and treated as soon as you can. You should also make sure that the hygienist cleans your teeth on a regular basis so the plaque is fully removed from your teeth and your risk of cavities is lessened.

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Get Yourself Treated

If you have a toothache, make sure that you get it treated. There’s no point in soldiering on and telling yourself that it’ll go away – chances are you’ll end up in an excruciating amount of pain and you’ll wish that you’d gone to the dentist when it was just a little twinge. If you have toothache, it could be an infection, which occur when bacteria gets through the tooth enamel. It can be caused by gum disease, tooth decay or a cracked tooth.

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Remember Fluoride

Look at the side of your toothpaste tube to make sure that it contains fluoride. It’s a chemical that protects your tooth enamel which is generally found in toothpaste and mouthwash, which can help to prevent the build up of plaque in your mouth, which in turn helps to prevent periodontal disease – or gum disease. Swish the mouthwash with fluoride in it around in your mouth for thirty seconds to make sure it hits every part of your mouth – and finally, make sure that you don’t swallow it!

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Stop Grinding Your Teeth

If you grind your teeth, which is often caused by stress, then it’s important to make sure that you stop as it can damage your teeth and cause you a considerable amount of pain. If you do this at night then it might disturb your partner – if not, then your dentist will probably notice, and could prescribe you a mouthguard so you have a lot less jaw pain and headaches.