Nobody wants to spend days nursing toothache and endure sleepless nights worrying about gum disease. The goods news is that most cases of decay and gum disease are preventable. Following some simple rules and adapting your lifestyle can make a positive difference to both your oral and general health. Here are some tips to keep your smile in shape and banish dental diseases for good.

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Create an effective dental hygiene regime

Most of us are aware that we should brush our teeth twice a day, but are you giving your mouth the attention it deserves? In order to remove bacteria effectively, you need to brush properly and use different cleaning techniques. Use your toothbrush to remove food debris and bacteria from the surfaces of the teeth and the gum line. Choose a brush with soft or medium bristles and gently guide your brush around your mouth. If you have an electric toothbrush, you don’t need to exert any additional pressure. Brushing too aggressively will damage your tooth enamel. Set a timer or brush along to a song to make sure that you do a thorough job.

When you’ve finished brushing your teeth, take a few seconds to brush your tongue. You can do this by using your normal brush or employing a tongue scraper. Your tongue harbors bacteria and collections can cause bad breath and an increased risk of decay. After brushing, take some strips of dental floss and clean the cracks between your teeth.

Keep in touch with your dentist

Seeing your dentist on a regular basis is one of the best ways to keep dental diseases at arm’s length. The British Dental Health Foundation suggests that people who see their dentist frequently have a 60 per cent lower risk of dental decay. Visit http://www.monroviafamilydentistry.net/areas-served/dentist-in-danville-in/ to make an appointment today. Ideally you should try and book routine checks every 6-9 months. If you have any problems between appointments, call and arrange to see your dentist as soon as possible.

Eat well

You often hear about foods that are bad for your teeth, but your diet can also be hugely beneficial for your oral health. Calcium is particularly important, so up your intake of dairy products and green leafy vegetables. Other foods that are good for your teeth and gums include nuts, soy, tofu and oily fish. Try to avoid processed, sugary and acidic foods. For more information about foods that have benefits for dental health, visit http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/diet-and-dental-health.

As well as focusing on what you eat, it’s also essential to think about when you eat. Eating sugary foods causes bacteria to produce acids, which weaken your enamel. Your tooth enamel can only withstand a limited number of acid attacks per day, so avoid snacking. If you get hungry between meals, choose sugar-free foods, such as carrot batons or whole grain crackers.

Dental diseases can be devastating for your oral and general health. Keeping on top of oral hygiene and dental appointments will stand you in good stead to battle decay and keep your teeth and gums healthy.