You may not realize it yet, but tooth and gum issues can damage your health and, in some cases, even make it hard for you to get a job. Whether we like it or not, mouth health and attractiveness matters.
It matters because bad mouth health can lead to bad overall health and can increase your chances of developing serious illnesses. It also matters because having an unattractive mouth can ruin your advancement prospects.
Reduce Wear and Tear
The truth is, you cannot fix this problem once it has happened without very expensive dental work that involves pain, surgery, and a lot of money. Did you know that getting one tooth implant in the USA costs, on average, $4500 – even with insurance?
If you avoid chewing ice, eating too many hard things, and acidic ingredients, while also caring for your mouth by brushing, flossing, and rinsing after an offensive meal, you are more likely to avoid this additional hardship.
Keep Your Gums Healthy
The thing that keeps your teeth the healthiest is ensuring that your gums are healthy. The way to maintain healthy gums is to get your twice-yearly cleanings, brush twice a day, and floss once a day. It really is that easy to do and will only take a few minutes out of your day. Two minutes of brushing (twice a day), a couple minutes of flossing, and that’s really all you need to do.
Avoid Dry Mouth
Your saliva naturally protects you from bacteria that cause cavities. If you notice that you’re having issues with dry mouth, try drinking more water throughout the day to avoid it. If it doesn’t go away, talk to your dentist about prescription mouth wash and toothpaste that can add moisture to your mouth.
Address Sensitive Teeth
If you notice that your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold things, or anything else, always make an appointment with your dentist right away. You may need a root canal to stop the pain and to get rid of germs that can cause illness. Or, you may just need to use desensitizing toothpaste too cut down on the issue. However, mouth pain like that can be a sign of a lot more serious issue like an infection that needs to be checked.
Don’t Smoke
Inhaling smoke into your mouth is not good for your gums at all. It can not only dry out your mouth, but it can also affect your gums and cause discoloration and recession. This makes you more susceptible to cavities, infection, and illness.
Get a Check-Up Twice a Year
Nothing can replace seeing your dentist and getting a professional cleaning twice a year for protecting your teeth and gums in your 20s. This is the very best way to ensure that you stay on top of your dental health care. Don’t think that it’s not important either. It is very important and can help prevent you from getting serious illnesses like heart disease or worse.
Brush and Floss Correctly Often Enough
As mentioned, you need to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. You can use any type of soft to medium toothbrush that you want to if you pay attention to how you brush.
Don’t press hard and keep the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Brush in a circular motion, paying close attention to the areas of your mouth that are hard to reach. Every day, also use floss. If you’re not sure you’re doing it right, your hygienist will be happy to teach you at your twice-yearly visits.
Like most things, it doesn’t seem that big of a deal in your 20s for most unless you have an obvious problem. However, if you make it important, you’ll not only save your health, but also time and money, and keep your job prospects stronger too. There is no reason you cannot keep all your teeth for life, looking and feeling wonderful.
