Easy Habits To Improve Your Tooth Health

It’s very important to take care of your teeth. Not only do they play a major role in your body’s overall health, but the average person simply doesn’t have enough good insurance to make frequent trips to the dentist.

That’s where we come in. We’ve gathered some of the best tips to take care of your teeth, and following these tips won’t break the bank. In fact, they can actually save you plenty of money by reducing how many trips you have to make to the dentist.

Ready to take care of your teeth, saving yourself money and pain at the same time? Keep reading to discover easy habits to improve your tooth health!

Consult your dentist ASAP when you notice something weird

Our first tip is actually the simplest. While the goal of this article is to reduce how many trips you take to the dentist, it’s important to go ASAP if you notice something unusual in your mouth that you can’t explain.

For example, if you’ve been experiencing a metallic taste that you can’t explain, it could be a side effect of the medication you’re taking…then again, it could also be an early sign of gum disease. And if you have sores in your mouth that you think may just be cold sores, they could actually be caused by a nasty bacterial infection.

Long story short? If you don’t know what’s going on with your mouth, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask someone who does!

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Specialized products for sensitive teeth

If you’re reading this, you’re trying to cut down on the costs associated with good dental hygiene. Because of that, you might not want to buy any specialized dental products. If you have sensitive teeth, however, then you’re most definitely going to need to invest in products designed specifically for them.

Tooth sensitivity usually means your tooth enamel has significantly worn down. If you’re not careful, your usual toothbrush and toothpaste could actually make the sensitivity worse instead of better. By getting specialized products such as a gentle toothbrush (and maybe ditching acidic foods whenever possible) you can keep those sensitive teeth from experiencing pain.

Don’t forget to brush your tongue

Everyone brushes their teeth (or at least, we hope they do!) on a regular basis. Far fewer people take the time each day to brush their tongue. Believe it or not, “brushing” (scraping, really) your tongue can actually improve your dental health in several ways while giving you better breath.

All you have to do is buy a tongue scraper (don’t worry; they aren’t expensive). To use it, start at the back of your tongue and scrape forward, avoiding gums and teeth as you go. Don’t forget to rinse your mouth out before and after the scraping…you may be surprised at how much cleaner and fresher your mouth will start to feel!

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Avoid brushing too hard

This next tip for better tooth health is about as easy as it gets. If you’re experiencing things like swollen gums, bleeding gums, or even (scariest of all) receding gums, you may be brushing your teeth too hard using a brush with hard bristles.

While you should definitely consult with your dentist if you’re experiencing these issues, you may be able to get immediate relief by purchasing a soft-bristled toothbrush and brushing in circular movements without as much pressure. The final result is that you’ll have cleaner teeth and a healthier mouth!

Make mouthwash mandatory

Do you frequently suffer from bad breath? If so, you might be tempted to blame it on your diet. To some degree, that’s true: some tasty foods like onions and garlic can leave a telltale smell in your mouth. However, for most people, the bad breath isn’t so much caused by their specific diet as it is caused by food staying in your mouth, causing a nasty smell as the food rots.

Better brushing can clean these remnants out, but your best bet is to use mouthwash on a regular basis. The minty flavor of mouthwash will naturally freshen your breath, but more importantly, it will help wash food remnants out of your mouth, directly removing the cause of your bad breath.

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Never skip the annual cleaning

Dentists recommend getting your teeth cleaned once a year. We’ll be the first to admit that it can be tough to maintain such an appointment if you have a busy schedule. Furthermore, if you don’t have dental insurance, you may not want to pay the out-of-pocket costs associated with the cleaning.

However, the annual cleaning is always worth it. Your dentist has specialized tools to help remove plaque and tartar, and they can also help keep your teeth white and healthy looking. Best of all, the annual checkup is preventative care that can help you prevent or catch small problems before they become major health issues.