A Teenager's Guide to Braces

Taking proper care of your teeth takes much more than simply brushing them a couple of times a day. You also want to make sure you take other measures to fight plaque and to avoid injury. Learn some of the other ways you can take care of your teeth in this article.

Think Before You Eat

When you want to take care of your teeth, you should think about how the foods you put in your mouth are going to affect them. Hard foods, such as hard candies and ice can chip or even break your teeth. Sticky foods like taffy will stay on your teeth and increase the amount of plaque that builds up on them.

Floss After Each Meal

When you eat, small food particles can become trapped between your teeth and increase your chances of developing cavities. Flossing is the best way to remove the food completely from the tight areas between your teeth.

Wear a Mouth Guard When Playing Sports

Not all sports require you to wear a mouth guard if there isn't a big risk of getting hit in your mouth. However, if there is even a small chance of this happening, then you may want to take the initiative yourself and wear a mouth guard even if it isn't required. It's best to get a mouth guard directly from your dentist, rather than getting a basic one from a sporting goods store. This way, you know it is made of high-quality material that's dentist recommended.

Carry Bottled Water With You

Try drinking water regularly throughout the day, even when on the go; it may be helpful to carry a bottle of water with you at all times. Drinking water can help remove a lot of food particles that would otherwise be collecting on your teeth.

Chew Sugarless Gum

Chewing on sugarless gum will pull small food particles and plaque away from your teeth so they don't end up becoming buildup. While gum that has sugar will also do this, the sugar in the gum isn't good for your teeth.

Don't Use Your Teeth as Tools

Don't put your teeth under unnecessary stress by using them for things they shouldn't be used for. Don't bite your nails, use your teeth to open plastic packages or do anything else with them that you shouldn't.

By taking care of your teeth, you can decrease your chances of having dental problems that can lead to the need for treatments such as root canals, dental implants and more. However, if you do end up losing or damaging your teeth, consider speaking to a dentist that specializes in restorative dentistry, such as Colerain Denture Center.