Do you become jittery at just the mention of the word “dentist? Has a tooth been bothering you for a long time but you have ignored it by simply using the other end of your mouth to chew? You obviously need some advice about dental care, and you are in luck with this article. The tips below can help you fix your dilemma.
Examine your toothbrush several times a month. Look for signs that you might need to buy a new one. The bristles are often the first indication. If you see that they are becoming frayed, go out and purchase something else. In general, you shouldn’t go longer than four months without getting another brush.
Strengthen your existing enamel with the foods that you eat. Certain vitamins and the mineral calcium, in particular, all help out with this. Foods that are good to accomplish this with include nuts, meats and dairy choices. Avoid sugary foods, soft drinks and sweetened teas, as these will do immediate damage to your enamel.
When you buy toothpaste, always read the label. Any toothpaste you choose should contain fluoride. In addition to the fluoride, the ingredients should include elements that help to brighten your teeth. Sometimes, these chemical ingredients can cause gum irritation.
Do you find your teeth hurt when you drink your hot coffee or cold beverage? Find a toothpaste for sensitive gums and teeth and plan on going to the dentist to get your problem looked at. The sensitivity could be indicative of an inflamed nerve or a cavity in a tooth. You want to get quick treatment on this.
The toothpaste that you select is very important for maintaining a healthy smile. If the toothpaste you choose is fluoride-rich, this will help your tooth enamel be as strong as possible. It also will help reduce the chances of your teeth decaying. For whiter teeth, select a toothpaste with whitening properties.
If you’re in pain, seek help. If you are hurting, there could be an infection and time is of the essence. Call your dentist to discuss the problem right away and set an appointment promptly; infections located in the teeth can travel to the brain if they are untreated.
If you are a smoker, you need to stop smoking for a healthy mouth. Smoking has been linked to oral cancer, tooth discoloration, bad breath and tooth decay. The best thing that you can do for the health of your mouth is to quit smoking. Not only will your mouth thank you, but you body will as well.
Take a toothbrush with you wherever you go. That way, if you eat at a restaurant, you can take a few minutes to brush your teeth afterwards. This will help you to remove food and bacteria from your teeth much more quickly than waiting until bedtime to take care of your teeth.
If going to the dentist makes you anxious, there’s several things you can do to get the dental care you need. Some dentists recommend taking anti-anxiety medication before visits and are willing to prescribe it to you for this purpose. You also want to choose a dentist who is patient with anxious patients and consider getting nitrous oxide treatments when you have dental work done.
Make sure you take your children to the dentist at an early age. These initial visits will set the stage for the rest of their life, and you want them to view visiting the dentist as an important bi-yearly event. You can start taking your child to see the dentist when they have teeth, and their pediatrician should be able to make a referral to get the process started.
Avoid sweets as much as possible and be careful about hidden sources of sugar. For instance, did you know that cough drops or natural fruit juice contained high amounts of sugar? You should always purchase the sugar-free version of the foods and drinks you love and completely stay away from candy.
Now, you should see that there’s not a lot to be afraid of when you need to get your teeth taken care of. The tips here also included ways to care for your teeth so you don’t have to visit the dentist as often. Use these tips to make your mouth healthy.
