Your teeth are an essential component of your body. Not to be taken lightly, once your adult teeth grow in at a young age, you’re set for life with this one set of pearly whites. Teeth are resilient, built for endurance and wear and tear, but can become painful and unhealthy if you do not take care of them properly. Your teeth are not only functional but they also serve as a part of your ‘look’. People who have not taken good care of their teeth can suffer from low self-esteem and self-consciousness. (Image Credits: Jonathan Borba/Unsplash)
This doesn’t mean being obsessive about your teeth. You are allowed to have fun, eat sugar, drink alcohol, and eat hard, crunchy things! Although health and wellness are so important, everybody’s got to have some fun. If you give your teeth regular, good care, you won’t have to worry so much about what you eat and how these foods can damage your teeth.
1. Natural Toothpaste
It is a myth that natural, organic toothpaste do not clean as well as regular toothpaste. Although you won’t have the minty-fresh feeling in your mouth that you have grown accustomed to, often natural toothpaste cleans your teeth just as effectively. Plus, it does not contain harsh chemicals like most regular toothpaste does. This means you get clean teeth, without additives and other harsh chemicals.
What kinds of natural toothpaste are there? Well, it turns out that there is not just one type of organic, natural toothpaste. From charcoal toothpaste, fluoride-free medical toothpaste, and more, there are so many to choose from which match your favorite flavors and brands.
2. Regular Dental Checkups
Although dental work is expensive, it is imperative that you invest in regular dental checkups. Although this sounds like obvious advice, it’s estimated that only 64% of adults between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five visited their dentists last year in the USA. It is estimated by professionals that you should go to the dentist twice per year to maintain good oral health.
Many people wait until they have a dental issue to visit their dentist. This method, however, can end up being more painful, expensive, and damaging to your teeth. If you deal with a problem only when it becomes unbearable, you could be too late to go back to normal. Diseases such as gum disease can present themselves late. If you visit a dentist regularly, they could catch a problem before it gets out of control.
3. Taking Big Steps
If you have always been self-conscious about your teeth, or have recently found yourself wishing your teeth would be whiter, straighter, or more even, there are things you can do. A Cosmetic Dentist is a dentist who specializes in non-essential dental work. There are hundreds of practices around the country that can assist you with a major dental change. Whether you wish to have crowns fitted; adult braces or other cosmetic dental work, contact a specialist for a quote and an examination.
Some examples of cosmetic dental work you can look into are:
- Tooth whitening. This can be done in a home kit, but in general, it is better to trust a professional with your teeth.
- Orthodontic work. For this, you need an orthodontist, not a dentist. Orthodontists specialize in braces, tooth-straightening, and jaw realignment. Having straight, in-line teeth is not just a cosmetic issue. Many people struggle with speech impediments and discomfort if they have crowded teeth, an overbite, or an underbite. Contact an orthodontist if you identify with these issues!
- Veneers. A veneer is a thin piece of porcelain that is molded exactly to your tooth. Your tooth is shaved down, and your veneer is placed on top of it. These can give the impression of straight, white, perfect teeth every single day. These are estimated to last between seven and fifteen years.
- Crowns. A crown is similar to a veneer, but it is designed to repair and protect damaged teeth which might be broken or rotten.
Conclusion
Having healthy teeth requires work, money, and time, but is worth it in the end. After all, we take our teeth for granted until they are damaged or painful. Taking care of your teeth little by little for the rest of your life doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, but can actually be a therapeutic, fun experience!
For more advice on how to best take care of your teeth, visit your dentist, and talk through your options.