How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy Into Adulthood

Having a beautiful, healthy smile is important at any age. However, as we transition into adulthood, it becomes even more vital to take good care of our teeth and gums. Neglecting proper dental care can lead to cavities, gum disease, tooth loss, and other oral health problems down the road. Fortunately, keeping your teeth strong and healthy into adulthood is easy when you make dental care a priority. In this article, we’ll explore tips and strategies for maintaining excellent dental health well into your adult years.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene Habits

The foundation of lifelong dental health is practicing thorough oral hygiene daily. This includes brushing at least twice per day for two minutes each time, focusing on all surfaces of your teeth and gums. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to floss once per day to remove plaque and food particles between teeth and below the gum line that brushing misses. Finish your routine by rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria.

Schedule Regular Dental Cleanings and Checkups

Professional cleanings and exams should be part of your oral care routine, too. The American Dental Association recommends checkups twice yearly to catch problems early before they worsen. Cleanings every six months rid your teeth of stubborn tartar buildup and plaque that daily brushing and flossing at home can’t tackle. Early detection and treatment of issues like cavities and gum disease through regular dental visits can prevent expensive, extensive treatment later on.

Be Mindful of Your Diet

A balanced, nutritious diet with limited sugary and acidic foods and beverages promotes oral health. Drink plenty of water each day, which benefits your entire body, including your teeth. Foods like cheese, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins are tooth-friendly options. Limit sugary foods that can interact with bacteria in your mouth to produce enamel-eroding acid. The same goes for acidic drinks like soda, sports drinks, and fruit juice.

Protect Teeth from Damage and Wear

Teeth face threats from damaging habits like chewing on ice, biting nails, using teeth to open packages, and improper brushing. Protect enamel and avoid fractures, chips, and excessive wear by breaking these behaviors. Consider getting a mouthguard custom fit by your dentist if you play sports or grind your teeth at night. Minimize erosion from acidic foods and drinks by avoiding constant snacking and sipping throughout the day. Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing after consuming acids to allow enamel to remineralize.

Consider Dental Treatments to Improve Smile Aesthetics

If you’re unhappy with the aesthetics of your smile, today’s dental treatments offer many options to consider for enhancement. Common cosmetic procedures include professional teeth whitening for stain removal and brightness, dental bonding to conceal chips or gaps, reshaping to correct uneven teeth, and veneers or crowns to mask flaws with thin covers custom-made to your teeth. Talk to your dentist about which solutions would work best to achieve your desired smile makeover results.

Consider Clear Aligners for a Better Smile

If your teeth are crowded, crooked, or have gaps, clear aligners for teeth can help straighten your smile discreetly as an adult. Aligners use a series of BPA-free plastic trays customized to incrementally shift teeth into better position over months of wear. Unlike traditional metal braces, clear aligner trays are removable when eating and brushing. Some of the key benefits of clear aligners at home through companies like ALIGNERCO include affordability, flexibility, and privacy. They’re a great option and tend to be cheaper than braces, too.

Don’t Smoke or Use Tobacco Products

Avoiding tobacco use is one of the best things you can do for your oral and overall health. Smoking raises your risk for gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth loss. It stains teeth and contributes to bad breath. Tobacco use impairs healing after dental procedures and reduces the effectiveness of treatments. Quitting smoking can immediately lower your chances of dental problems.

Relax Dental Anxiety with Stress-Reduction Strategies

Dental anxiety and phobia can prevent some adults from seeking professional care, resulting in deterioration of their oral health over time. If you experience nervousness at the dentist, try deep breathing, mindfulness, music, or sitting in the dentist’s chair beforehand to get comfortable. Let your dentist know you’re anxious – they can help you relax with sedation dentistry techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also effective for conquering dental phobia.

Practicing preventive dental habits throughout adulthood keeps your smile sparkling and your oral health at its prime. Brush and floss thoroughly each day, eat a balanced diet, and get regular checkups and cleanings. Consider affordable clear aligners if you want to straighten crooked teeth discreetly. Protect teeth from damage and use cosmetic dentistry options if you want to enhance your smile’s appearance. Establish dental care as an essential part of looking and feeling your best at any age.