Assuming you’ve never had to face any dental problems in the past then you probably don’t realize how embarrassing some of them can be. While things like bad breath are embarrassing enough on their own, more permanent damage such as lost teeth due to cavities can be even worse.
Fortunately it doesn’t take much to avoid embarrassing problems such as these, and in fact all you need to do is formulate a few simple dental habits that you stick to on a regular basis:
- Brushing thoroughly at least twice a day
Brushing your teeth is the cornerstone of good dental hygiene and you should be doing so at least twice a day. It is important that when you brush you cover the entire surface area of all your teeth, and you should spend about two minutes or so brushing with each session. If you can brush your teeth three times a day – that’s even better. - Flossing at least once a day
Just like brushing, flossing is extremely important and it can help you get rid of bits of food and plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach in between your teeth. Ideally you should floss at least once a day, preferably at night – but if you can add in another session that would be great. - Using fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride toothpaste helps reinforce and strengthen your teeth which is why it really helps a lot if you use it. Try to find one that has the American Dental Association (ADA) logo, or some other similar certification. - Going for regular dental checkups
No matter how careful you are about your dental hygiene there’s no substitute for regular dental checkups and you should try to aim to go for one at least every six months. If nothing else it will help to have a dentist confirm everything is okay, but if it isn’t then it could be the key to catching dental issues early before they flare out of control. - Avoiding bad habits
Smoking, eating too much sugar, consuming alcohol, and other bad habits can be extremely bad for your oral wellbeing and you should avoid them. If you have a well-balanced diet and stay away from harmful habits (at least in excess) then you should be able to avoid many issues almost entirely.
It helps if you have a dentist that you develop a good rapport with and with whom you feel comfortable enough to discuss any issues you may be having. If you’re looking for dentists in Hertfordshire then you should give the St Peters Lodge Dental Practice, 7 Manor Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3ST a try seeing as they are one of the more reputable ones in the area.
