Understandably, your mouth is full of bacteria. And, therefore, there’s a lot that can go wrong in that mouth of yours. Having a dental problem is never any fun. We all know the importance of thoroughly brushing our teeth twice a day. But is there anything else you can be doing to keep your mouth and teeth in top condition? Luckily, there is. You can’t avoid all dental problems, and some will need expert treatment, but you can do your best to prevent them!

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is caused when plaque attaches itself to your teeth and begins to erode them. This can be a big problem and can lead to needing teeth removed. Children and old people are particularly at risk.

The best way to prevent tooth decay is pretty simple: brush your teeth. You should be using fluoride toothpaste and floss every day. Sealants applied to the surface of the teeth can also help.

Gum Disease

Caused by a bacterial infection which means plaque attacks the gums. The first stage of the disease is known as gingivitis and then when it progresses, it becomes periodontitis. Everyone can be affected by gum disease, but those with a lower resistance to infection are at the greatest risk.

Seeing a dentist, like Adult Dentistry of Ballantyne – Dentist Charlotte NC, if you start experiencing symptoms like bleeding gums, is the first step to take. Making sure you don’t smoke and are in good health can also increase your resistance to infection.

Enamel Erosion

When you expose your teeth to acidic foods and liquids like sweet drinks or citrus fruit, you increase your vulnerability to enamel erosion. This can cause your teeth to become discoloured and misshapen.

Unfortunately, aggressive brushing won’t help you here – it can actually be one of the causes of enamel erosion. The best way to prevent it is to mind your diet. Stop drinking sugar-filled drinks and eat acidic fruit sparingly.

Tooth Sensitivity

If you feel pain or discomfort on your teeth and gums when you eat cold food or when the weather’s cold, you’re probably suffering from tooth sensitivity. It can be a real pain having to worry about which food you eat. Luckily, there are methods of prevention.

Try using a toothpaste made specifically for people with sensitive teeth. This will hopefully bolster the strength of your gums and teeth. You should also avoid grinding your teeth if you do it regularly – it can cause your teeth to become weaker and more sensitive.

Wisdom Teeth

If you get your wisdom teeth coming through, it must mean you’re wise, right? Well, maybe so. But wisdom won’t help you with the excruciating pain caused by wisdom teeth. Many people will need to get theirs removed; the luckier ones won’t.

It’s not just pain they cause either. When wisdom teeth push their way through, they can often cause infection. This is why some dentists remove wisdom teeth even if there’s no pain. If you get an infection, there’ll be a hell of a lot more pain to come.