Growing up, I was super self-conscious of my smile. I had terribly crooked teeth. Once they were straightened, I had so much more confidence. While some smiles require an hour or two at the dentist to be in their best possible shape, you can easily find ways to look after them a bit better when you’re back from that appointment. When you manage to get into the habit, it will almost seem strange not to follow these simple tips so you might as well get started with it right away. Your smile and your bank account will thank you for it.
First: Identify Your Problems
If you don’t have any issues with your teeth at the moment, you’re ready to skip to the next step – but if you’ve experienced pain, bleeding, or clicking in your jaw, it’s a good idea to have this taken care of first. The problem with trying to figure out the problem as well as its cause all on your own is that tooth pain can be caused by a lot of different things.
Sure, you may have cavities. But that pain could also be due to an issue with your gums, grinding teeth at night, or even a filling that’s not working as it should. Visit your dentist, first of all, and they’ll be able to let you know what’s going on.
Rinse with Water Several Times a Day
Did you know that a dry mouth tends to get more cavities? That’s why it’s so important to brush both before and after bedtime. When we sleep, we tend to not talk and drink as much as we do when we’re awake which leads to a dry mouth.
This kind of environment is great for bacterias, so try to rinse your mouth several times a day with a mouthwash or even just water when you don’t have that mouthwash with you. Having a few sips of water during the night will also be good for your teeth, by the way, so remember to fill up that glass.
Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Teeth grinding is a common problem for many. Some might do it even when they’re awake, but the most common problem is grinding at night. You might not even know that you’re doing it; jaw tenderness and clicking are common signs of this, though, so book an appointment with a cosmetic dentist to get one of those teeth protectors to sleep with at night. Continuous grinding could wear your teeth down a bit with time and could even cause some bigger problems with your jaw.
Take Better Care of Your Smile
Taking care of your teeth is all about routines, and it goes beyond simply brushing twice a day and remembering to floss after meals. It’s all about the little things you do. The effort you put into your teeth will definitely show on your smile.
