5 Tips for Taking Care of Your Teeth After Visiting the Dentist

After stepping out of the dentist’s clinic feeling fresh and clean, you’ll want to maintain your pearly whites for as long as possible. So what can you do to maintain the appearance of your teeth in the long run?

Treat flossing with the same importance as brushing

We all know how important brushing our teeth twice a day is. What many people don’t realise, however, is the importance of flossing as part of your daily oral health routine. Flossing achieves much more than just dislodging the debris from between your teeth. It actually stimulates your gums as well, reduces plaque and minimises inflammation in the area.

By keeping up a gentle, daily flossing routine, you can keep your teeth in better condition for longer.

Reduce your sugar intake

In order to keep your teeth healthy between appointments, try cutting down on your sugar intake. Sugar promotes bacteria growth and acidity, resulting in the production of plaque. All of this is a recipe for tooth decay. When you do have a sweet treat, it would be wise to brush and floss immediately after to keep harm at bay.

Cut down on soft drinks

In addition to being loaded with sugar, the ingredients that give soft drinks their fizz (namely citric acid and phosphoric acid) can corrode your enamel and make you more prone to cavities. If you’ve got a daily soft drink habit, it’s a good idea to cut down! Besides, your favourite soft drink will likely taste even better if you only have it on special occasions.

Quit smoking 

Smoking can quickly undo the effects of a professional dental clean, which means it’s well worth quitting this habit. Tar and nicotine corrodes the gums, while plaque and bacterial production increases. All these factors contribute to tooth decay, gum disease and even potential oral cancer and tooth loss! People who quit smoking will quickly see an improvement in the colouration of their teeth, while enjoying lifelong health benefits as well.

Book in your next dental appointment 

While at home care is essential for maintaining oral health, nothing beats regular visits to your dentist. Try to make it a habit to book your next appointment before leaving the clinic, ideally leaving only 6 months between appointments. Oral health problems can creep up slowly, which is why routine appointments are so important for getting timely treatment.

Remember that maintaining your smile isn’t just about aesthetics (although that’s important too!) Our dental health can take a huge toll on our overall well being, which is why it’s something we simply can’t overlook. For further dental care tips, visit our blog or make an appointment with our dentists!