If you think that having bad teeth will only lead to embarrassment or low self-esteem, think again. While it's true that your dental health may affect how others perceive you, there are several other important facts about oral health that you may not know about, unless you're a dentist or dental hygienist yourself! Here are five of the most important facts about your dental health that everyone should know about.
There are 32 teeth in a healthy mouth. A human tooth consists of three layers: enamel, dentin and pulp. Teeth can last a lifetime when cared for properly; they continue to renew themselves throughout our lives. The entire process is known as demineralization and occurs whenever food or drinks other than water come into contact with teeth.
Twice a day, brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. After you eat or drink something acidic like coffee or soda, be sure to brush as soon as possible because acid can damage your teeth. Remember not to brush too hard; brush gently for two minutes in order to avoid damaging your gums and enamel. See your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups.
Choosing a whitening treatment is your best bet for achieving noticeable results. Treatments like strips and trays may be less expensive, but they don't offer significant improvement to tooth shade. However, in-office treatments and at-home kits are more effective. Depending on your needs, you can choose from teeth bleaching gels, LED lights or dentist-guided lasers to achieve your desired level of whiter teeth in just one visit.
Regular dental checkups can keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape. Teeth tend to deteriorate with age, and you want to catch any issues before they become serious problems. Twice a year is recommended by many dentists, though going more than that is also fine. Make sure you're still visiting at least once a year for professional cleanings if you have gum disease.
