If you aren’t prioritising your dental health, now is the time to start. Once you reach adulthood, your teeth need to last you a lifetime, so it’s important that you take care of them in a way that will maximise their longevity and maintain their health. Of course, there are a number of ways to achieve this, but the steps below, alongside a proper dental hygiene routine, should help keep your teeth in the best condition possible.

Visiting the Dentist

Your first point of call when it comes to taking care of your teeth should be your dentist. Your dentist is a professional who will be able to take a look around your mouth, examining its overall health. They are trained and experienced in being able to spot the beginnings of any decay or gum disease, providing further information, solutions and treatments. Chances are, during your appointment, they will also use an x-ray to check out the interior health of your teeth. This can highlight decay within the tooth and give insight into potential future issues, such as impacted wisdom teeth. If you are experiencing any infection, your dentist will also be able to prescribe antibiotics to help.

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Dental Treatments

There are a number of dental treatments that your dentist may recommend after having looked at your teeth. Specialist treatments can include:

  • Fillings – if any decay is found in your teeth, your dentist may recommend a filling. This will allow them to clean the tooth out, remove decay and fill the space with a sturdy material, such as amalgam or white composite.
  • Root canal – if decay has reached further stages and the root of your tooth or the tooth nerve is being affected, you may need a root canal. This is a longer and more complex treatment, but can put an end to dental pain and help remove decay from the tooth.
  • Straightening – many people desire straight teeth because of beauty standards portrayed by the media. But teeth straightening can be good for your dental health too, making your teeth easier to clean and floss. Your dentist may recommend invisible braces if you are an adult, as these are more discreet than more traditional braces.
  • Whitening – another treatment you could consider is teeth whitening. This will give your teeth a whiter appearance that many people want. Just make sure to talk through tooth sensitivity before getting this done.

Visiting a Hygienist

You may think that you’re cleaning your teeth correctly, but you may be surprised to know that many adults are still cleaning their teeth incorrectly. Correct cleaning is a skill we should all have that will minimise decay, disease and other dental issues. By visiting a hygienist, you can put bad habits to rest and learn how to clean your teeth properly. Your hygienist will also take a look at your mouth and its overall health to find spots you’ve missed and reach hard-to-reach areas. They will give your teeth a thorough clean, scale and polish. This will give you professional cleaned teeth that feel great. They may also recommend dental products that will best suit your needs.

These are just a few steps you should be taking to ensure the health of your teeth, gums and mouth in general!