3 Things You Do To Help Your Teeth Last A Lifetime
If you are concerned about the possibility of losing your teeth, there are multiple protective measures that you can take to help ensure that your teeth last a lifetime. Here are a few of them:
Don't smoke.
Smoking is associated with multiple dental health issues. Substances in tobacco irritate the sensitive soft tissues of the mouth and make it difficult for wounds to heal quickly and properly. In addition, smoking impairs circulation and restricts the amount of oxygen that is present in the blood.
Also, smokers are more susceptible to periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss. The pigments in the tobacco can also incite deep dental staining.
Wear a mouth guard if you grind your teeth at night.
People who grind their teeth at night suffer from a condition that is known as bruxism. The grinding of the teeth produces a large amount of bite pressure. This can cause the teeth to become cracked, chipped or excessively worn.
The wearing away of the tooth enamel can make the teeth more susceptible to dental sensitivity. In addition, it can offer oral bacteria an entry point to the inside of a tooth to cause a dental infection.
Cracks in a tooth that result in the tooth being separated into two parts can result in tooth loss. Other than a dental extraction, there is no treatment for a tooth that has been cracked through its root.
If you have been diagnosed with bruxism, it is important for you to wear your mouth guard nightly. The guard serves as a cushioning barrier between the teeth of the bottom and top palates. Thus, less pressure is received by the teeth as they are pressed together.
Rinse your mouth regularly with water.
Decay that is severe can end in one or more dental extractions. Tooth decay is usually caused by acid from oral bacteria. The microbes in the mouth excrete acid after feeding on leftover particles of food. The acid removes important minerals from the tooth material, causing it to become weakened. The resulting decay may start as a small dental cavity and develop into a large infection.
By rinsing the mouth regularly with water, you can dilute any acid that is present in your mouth. In addition, you can help flush away particles of food on which oral bacteria can feed. If fluoridated water is used, there is the additional benefit of making the tooth enamel less prone to damage from acid exposure.
To learn more things that you can do to keep your teeth, schedule a consultation with a dentist.
Share
