Many people are nervous about going to the dentist, because they don’t like to have their mouths poked and prodded. However, the minor inconvenience of a biannual cleaning is much less invasive than the root canal that will come if you don’t take care of your teeth. Going to the dentist twice a year is the best way to keep a healthy set of teeth.
If you are worried about getting work done on your teeth, speak to the dentist prior to your appointment. This will give him or her a heads up on how you are feeling, and they can figure out how to best reassure you. Try to be specific about exactly what it is that you don’t like about the process.
If you are looking for a good dentist, check with friends and family first. Learning first hand about a dentist’s bedside manner, styles, and straining is important when looking for a new one. You can make an informed decision if you also know their financial policies up-front.
You should not purchase a toothpaste advertised as a product that can whiten your teeth without checking the label first. Look for fluoride. This ingredient is absolutely necessary for healthy teeth, and some whitening toothpaste do not even contain fluoride. Try a toothpaste for a few weeks and switch to a different brand if you are not happy with the results.
If you don’t like the taste or texture of toothpaste, consider instead using a paste of baking soda and water. This is a great formula for scrubbing the teeth gently while also leaving a healthy feeling to the mouth. Baking soda is all natural, so it won’t cause any problems when you use it.
Don’t simply brush the surface of your teeth. You must brush your gums too, so that you can get all of the food away from them. Many cavities form below the gum line. By brushing your gums you can help protect against these cavities.
See your dentist for a checkup twice each year. Dental cleanings are something that are important. At this time, your teeth are thoroughly cleaned, checked for cavities and gingivitis and anything else your dentist may need to examine; If caught early enough some dental problems have easy treatment plans, but if you neglect them, you risk more invasive procedures.
Sometimes in life we have to make decisions about our health. For example, we may want to eat right, but we don’t have time for a healthy restaurant. Instead, we choose a salad at a fast-food joint. The same can be said of dental care – for example, mint floss is a great way to convince yourself to floss more often.
If you have gums that are inflamed and red, you may have a problem known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is a common gum disease due to poor dental care. If you find that your gums are bleeding every time you brush your teeth, this can be a good indicator that there is a problem. If you believe that you may have gingivitis, see a dentist immediately.
Beware of temperature changes. Large and sudden changes in temperature can cause sensitivity and weaken your enamel. There isn’t much that you can do about the weather outside your door. You can, however, monitor what you are eating. Avoid eating and drinking cold and hot beverages and foods together.
If you have a serious fear of the dentist and conventional methods won’t work, you might want to consider taking some sort of medication. Your dentist can give you anti-anxiety medication or nitrous oxide which will make the entire dentist visit a whole lot easier. Just make sure that you don’t have any adverse reactions to the medications.
Eat an apple everyday. This tip has been around forever, leaving some to believe that it is just an old myth, but it is not. Apples are full of vitamins that are good for your teeth and also make your teeth stronger because eating an apple is like a workout for your teeth.
In order to keep your teeth healthy and white, try to avoid drinking carbonated beverages and coffee. The carbonation in a soft drink can cause your enamel to wear down. Carbonated drinks, such as soda, are also full of sugar which is not good for your teeth. Coffee and tea can stain your teeth. In place of soda or coffee, increase the amount of water that you drink.
As was stated earlier, a lot of people have nerves about heading to the dentist. The only thing to be nervous about, though, is the trouble that builds up in your mouth the longer you go without getting your teeth cleaned. Root canals and other forms of mouth surgery are more likely if you neglect your cleaning schedule.
