The cost of living crisis is becoming a global issue and we’re all watching in horror as prices are skyrocketing from mortgages to groceries. The one thing that we’re all finding out the hard way is that it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon, and so we’re having to pick and choose how we better care for ourselves. For example, a lot of people have dropped their private health coverage this year because it’s just unaffordable compared to previous years. That means finding the right dental treatment is getting harder because you then have to pay for that out of pocket.
A long time ago, somebody decided that teeth and eyeballs should not be included in a whole body health plan and that they should be outsourced and cost more money. This means that you need to be able to take care of your teeth as well as you can. You can get dental insurance with a high maximum, but you should make sure that you can afford that in your budget. The times where you can’t, you need to know how to look after your teeth in a way that keeps them healthy for as long as possible. Let’s take a look at the top tips that you need for taking care of your teeth so that you don’t have to go without even when money is tight.
Look up Your Healthcare Routine
When it comes to your teeth, you need to make sure that you have a good morning and nightly routine. But that doesn’t mean you should skip out on those helpful routines during the day. For example, you should make sure that you are flossing after your meals, especially where meals contain seeds like strawberries. You should also keep a mouthwash handy during the day so that if you have something that is going to feel very sugary on your teeth, rinsing your mouth can give you that Peace of Mind that you’re not going to have that sugar eating away at your enamel all day long. Brushing your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush twice a day for a minimum of two minutes at a time can ensure that your healthcare routine for your teeth is better than ever. You should make sure that you are not rushing the back of your teeth and cleaning the front. You need to make sure that you are cleaning them in a gentle circular motion. Electric toothbrushes are a great one for this because they often have built in timers. If you still have to use a manual brush, then making sure that you use a timer on your smartphone is a smart idea.
Don’t Use the Same Toothbrush for too Long
It’s one of those things that most people forget. You have to replace your toothbrushes periodically. You should always start using a new toothbrush at least every three months. And if you’ve been sick, use a new one after that too. If your toothbrush is starting to look worn out or the bristles are starting to go funny, then you need to make sure that you are cleaning your teeth and replace it as soon as you can. An old or worn out toothbrush is not going to clean your teeth as effectively as it could and that increases your risk of any dental problems later on. Ideally you don’t want to have to deal with any dental issues, so just don’t! Replacing your toothbrush with an upgraded version is also a great idea, because then you are getting the best possible care for your teeth.
Never Forget to Floss
Flossing works to remove food particles and plaque that has built up between your teeth. It also helps to reach those hard to reach areas where you’re going to have to think about getting to the very back where your toothbrush can’t reach. If you floss only at night, you might be OK, but if you’re prone to gum disease or you notice that you have tartar building up quite quickly, then make sure that you’ve lost throughout the day and after your meals. Ideally, you don’t want the bacteria to increase through the night, so if you leave the particle sitting on your teeth, that’s exactly what’s going to happen.
Use Mouthwash
It’s also known as an oral rinse, but this is a liquid product that can clean your gums, teeth and your tongue. Usually mouthwash hasn’t antiseptic inside it to kill harmful bacteria and these can live between your teeth and on your tongue for a long time. When you rinse with mouthwash twice a day, you’ll reduce your risk of plaque as well as assisting in reducing cavities. As a bonus, you’ll freshen your breath, which can also feel very nice when you are starting up your day or going to bed at night. You want to protect your gums from gingivitis and mouthwash. Recommendations from your dentist can help you with this.
Make Sure to Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water every single day can help you to stay healthy. It’s recommended for a healthy adult to drink at least 1 1/2 to two liters of water per day. Seeing as water is a major component of your saliva, and your saliva helps to fight bacteria, you want to make sure that your saliva is neutralizing any acid that can cause tooth decay, washing away any excess food particles and bacteria along the way. Water can also help to keep the soft tissues of your mouth moist and healthy, which will help you to fight bad breath and remain hydrated always.
Try not to Grind
If you notice you’ve been grinding your teeth as a result of stress, anger or feeling anxious, then you need to seek help from your dentist. They will be able to fit your teeth with a mold that you can wear at night time to protect them. So if you do grind, just simply grind against the mold. One tooth enamel and increased tooth sensitivity are two signs that you are dealing with grinding your teeth and they are wrecking your teeth at the same time. Although dentists can’t stop you from doing it, the mouth guard that they can give you to wear at night time can prevent you from wearing your teeth down. It can’t stop you from grinding altogether, though, so make sure that you seek the help of a therapist who can work with you to address the anxiety and anger issues you may be experiencing.
Look at Your Diet
A good tip for taking care of your teeth is to make sure that you look into your diet as a thing that you need to fix up. If you are eating or drinking highly sugary foods or highly sugary drinks, then that needs to slow down. You want to be able to look after your teeth, but if you’re doing a lot of sugary treats and chocolate during the day, you’re going to have a constant onslaught of acid on your tooth enamel. Sugary foods that are sticky or chewy can also take a lot longer to be cleared from your mouth, and that can increase your risk of tooth decay. Sugar free chewing gum can increase saliva production and help you to continue to chew without wrecking your teeth at the same time. And make sure that you brush your teeth after eating sugar.
