How to Avoid 5 Common Problems with Your Teeth

Dental health is as important as any other aspect of your health. Here is how you can avoid the common problems with your teeth and live a healthy life.
Man having problem with gum tooth and pressing a towel from outside

Dental health is as important as any other aspect of your health. You have to look after your teeth and take all precautions against any damages or diseases. This may include a healthy diet and good oral habits. Here is more information about how you can avoid problems with your teeth and live a healthy life. ~ Ed.

Woman brushing teeth to avoid dental problems

At an early age, it is important to learn how to brush your teeth properly this can be easier and more fun if you use dentist toys. It’s vitally important to keep your teeth as healthy and clean as possible.

While it may not seem as significant as looking after your heart and other major organs, the reality is that your oral health contributes massively to your overall health.

Gum disease has been linked to issues in other parts of the body and could increase your risk of diabetes, heart attack, or stroke.

We all know the basics, as experienced dentists from this Calgary dental centre and beyond will tell you to clean your teeth thoroughly twice per day, floss every day, and use mouthwash to reach places your toothbrush can’t.

However, there is more you can do to improve your oral health, and these factors are often forgotten by the time people leave the dentist’s chair.

A healthy diet is just as crucial for your dental health as the rest of your body, as some food and drink can cause tooth decay.

For a balanced diet, you should be consuming fruits and vegetables, bread and other carbs (whole grain if possible), potatoes (with skin if possible), meat and fish for protein (or a vegetarian/vegan protein alternative), and dairy. It is recommended that you drink a glass of water after each meal to help flush out anything that may have got stuck.

However, there are more ways to prevent problems with your teeth than proper brushing and eating healthily.

5 Common Problems with Teeth and How to Avoid Them

Here are some tips that you can work into your daily routine to avoid five of the most common dental issues.

Tooth Decay

Food and drink with high levels of acidity and sugar can be damaging to your teeth and cause them to decay. This happens when acidic or sugary food particles get lodged in your teeth and rot away the tooth enamel, causing decay within the tooth. This isn’t to say you can never have sugary or acidic food or drink, but it’s essential to limit your consumption and clean your mouth thoroughly afterward.

Sugar is addictive, especially if you’re someone who naturally has a sweet tooth. It can be hard to cut out, but even choosing an option that’s lower in sugar when picking out everyday food items such as cereals, spreads, etc., than the product you would usually buy will make a difference.

Try having some fruit for sweetness if you get an intense craving. Fruits are high in sugar but do not count as “free sugars,” which are found in products such as fizzy drinks and syrups. However, these sugars do count in your overall daily sugar consumption and can cause dental problems if you don’t clean your mouth properly.

The same also goes for highly acidic food and drink, including some smoothies and fruit juices (i.e., orange juice). These beverages can be more damaging than eating the fruit itself, and it’s recommended that your consumption of them doesn’t exceed 150ml per day.

Staining

Coffee, tea, smoking, and alcohol all have the potential to stain your teeth. Smoking causes them to go yellow, makes your breath smell, and increases the risk of developing gum disease.

As well as staining your teeth, alcohol can cause them to lose enamel by eroding their outer surface, which can lead to sensitivity and decay. Coffee and tea are both major staining culprits for staining teeth – and depending on how much sugar or honey you add to them, these beverages could also contribute to tooth decay.

Avoid these issues by cutting down on smoking, alcohol, and caffeine wherever you can. If possible, try drinking some beverages through a straw to avoid staining, but remember the sugar and other ingredients can have an impact on the rest of your body too.

Chipping

Chipped teeth are painful, expensive to fix, and change the way your smile looks. While it can be tempting when you have no other options, using your teeth as a tool is not a good idea.

Cracking nuts, removing caps from bottles, ripping packaging open, and any other non-biting/-chewing action is likely to end up harming your teeth. There are treatments available to fix broken or chipped teeth, so it’s essential to reach out to your dentist if yours have been damaged.

Gum Disease

Mild gum disease, or gingivitis, is quite common – most people experience spitting blood when they brush their teeth at some point. If you’re spitting blood regularly, there are a few ways you can remedy this:

  • Use a softer toothbrush or try brushing with lighter strokes
  • Get an antimicrobial mouthwash designed to treat gum disease
  • Floss daily (this will make the bleeding worse at first, but removes trapped plaque in your teeth and therefore treats the source of the issue)
  • Use toothpaste formulated to treat gum disease

If the bleeding or sore gums are a frequent problem, visit your dentist to get personalized treatment. Catching gum disease early is easily treatable and prevents gingivitis from progressing to periodontitis, which causes gum erosion and tooth loss.

Sensitivity

Many people experience sensitive teeth, especially when eating cold foods. Luckily, there are plenty of products on the market to help combat the pain, like toothpaste and gels.

If you’re aware of certain foods that cause your teeth to get that sharp, painful sensitive feeling, avoid them. If you can’t identify the root of the issue, try desensitizing toothpaste, use fluoride mouthwash, and try a soft-bristled brush to see if that improves the problem.

Conclusion

Day to day, there are a multitude of things you can do to avoid damaging your teeth. A healthy diet and good oral care habits will be your best friend in keeping your pearly whites healthy.

If you ever get worried or are unsure of what to do about a dental issue, always consult your dentist to get customized care and spot any underlying medical problems.

Over to you

What do you do to avoid having problems with your teeth? Share your tips and experiences in the comments.

2 comments
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  1. Hi Harleena and John,
    This post is indeed a timely one to me, as I am crossing 60+ this gives more tips to keep my teeth healthy. 🙂
    I fully agree with you that a healthy diet and good oral care habits will be our best friend in keeping our pearly whites healthy, but at the same time the age goes by it needs more attention and care.
    These tips help one to be more alert.
    Thanks for sharing yet another informative piece Harleena. 🙂
    Have a great time of sharing and caring ahead.
    Best Regards,
    ~ Phil

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