Of all the things you wear, your smile is the most important.
And at ABC Dental our mission is to provide you with always better care. That's why we detailed these nine tips that will help you enjoy a healthier smile.
1 - Attend 6 monthly preventive dental visits
The Australian Dental Association recommends seeing the dentist every 6 months for a preventative appointment. This includes a check-up, clean, scale and fluoride application. Book now with ABC Dental for our regular check-up and clean that includes x-rays, scale and fluoride.
2 - Replace missing teeth
A missing tooth does not only affect the aesthetics of your smile. It can cause a variety of problems such as cause the front teeth to flare out and create unwanted spaces in between them. In addition, a missing tooth can also affect the jawbone structure and gum tissues. Book now treatment options such as dental bridges, dental implants and dentures to replace missing teeth and get your smile back on track.
3 - Protect your teeth during impact sports
Many tooth-related accidents happen in high impact sports. To save your teeth from chipping, breaking or fracturing, our dentists recommend wearing a custom-made mouthguard during contact sports. A custom-made mouthguard fits your teeth and gum line perfectly. Book now at ABC Dental and enjoy several options to customise your mouthguard.
4 - Sleeping habits
Another impact factor on your teeth is your behaviour while you are asleep. Actions such as teeth grinding, sleep apnoea, or snoring can impact your smile and oral health. If you become aware that you are consistently showing one of these behaviours, please mention it to your dentist during your next visit. Just book an appointment and ABC Dental can provide you with mouthguard to mitigate the damage of grinding your teeth.
5 - Don’t brush right after eating
The bacteria deposits that stick to your teeth also produce acid. The acid then attacks the protective layer on your teeth. This means, your teeth is made vulnerable by the acid right after a meal. If you then decide to brush your teeth, you risk further weakening the protective layer on your teeth. Wait for at least 30 minutes before you brush your teeth.
6 - Floss before you brush
Flossing before brushing removes more plaque than the other way around. Also fluoride, a mineral that aids in the prevention of cavities and tooth decay, stays in the mouth at a higher concentration when patients flossed before brushing.
7 - Support your teeth with the right foods
Your diet influences your oral health. By choosing foods low in sugar, acid and staining character, you can protect your teeth. Many people snack on fruits multiple times a day thinking they are making a healthy choice over other treats, but fruits contain a high amount of natural sugar and acid, too. If you would like to enjoy a piece of fruit, eat it after a main meal and have plenty of water afterwards. Overall, aim to eat foods rich in vitamins such as leafy greens, vegetables, fish, eggs, and cheese.
8 - Make wise drink choices
Similar to choosing the right foods, it is also important to consider the beverages you consume if you want to protect your teeth. Fruit juices and lemonade are not only high in sugar, they can also stain your teeth. Coffee and wine are also beverages that will leave marks on your pearly whites. If you consume a staining drink, always try to have water afterwards to limit the risks of staining and to reduce the acid levels in your mouth.
9 - Avoid biting into hard things
To protect your teeth from chipping, it is essential to avoid chewing on hard items such as pens, toothpicks, or ice. All of these can wear your teeth down if you chew on them continuously. It is also recommended cutting up hard foods instead of biting directly onto them. This is an easy way to look after your smile.