1. Brush Regularly – The first and foremost thing a person should do is to brush their teeth regularly. A normal count of 3 times per day would be good. i.e. morning, after meals and after dinner or before going to bed. Also, there are quite a few fluoride products that are available in market which you can use in the night which helps in preventing cavities in the teeth. Make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles, which does not damage your enamel layer, or remove it away. Ask Your Dentist - for the right technique to brush.
2. Floss Regularly – This is also a nice and effective way of getting rid of any food particles from the surface of the teeth and the gaps between the teeth. They clean all the grooves of the teeth and prevent tooth decay. Any type of floss can be used for flossing. Ask Your Dentist - how to floss.
3. Use Fluoride Oral Rinse – There is a rinse available which helps in preventing decay of the tooth and also helps in strengthening the outer enamel of the teeth. The hypersensitivity of the dentin layers also gets decreased due to rinse. Stannous fluoride dental rinses are available for this purpose. NEVER SWALLOW. Ask Your Dentist - how to rinse.
4. Try to avoid Soda and Cola like drinks. As the Cola drinks contain acids like citric acid, and phosphoric acid. They slowly react with the teeth and dissolve them. These drinks have corrosive effect on the teeth.
You can have these soft drinks, which are originally hard, but just don’t become addicted to those kind of drinks
Milk, Water and Juices – These would be the best substitutes for the Soft drinks. Milk also helps in promoting stronger jaw bones, and also strengthens teeth. Ask Your Dentist - for substitutes.
5. Avoid chewing tobacco and smoking – This is one of the major cause for tooth and complete oral tissue damage. The tobacco powder and its smoke causes stains on teeth and they weaken the teeth. Chewing of tobacco can lead to discoloration of teeth and sometimes this tobacco is also responsible for the dangerous oral cancer. So, avoiding tobacco related products is the best. Ask Your Dentist - how to quit.
6. Which Chewable gums? – These are of 2 kinds, One which are specifically made to chew after meals and these help in cleaning of the teeth. And the other gums, are the sweet ones which increases sugar content and attract micro-organisms on to the teeth and they cause decay of the teeth. It would be better to decrease these kind of sweet gums. AskYour Dentist - which one to chew .
7. Avoid Alcohol – Several problems can occur when alcohol is consumed, majorly it effects the oral cavity by causing irritation of the gum, tongue and oral tissues; poor healing after dental surgery; Increase in tooth decay; increased risk towards periodontal (gum) disease.
Heavy drinkers have the risk of developing Cancer in mouth. If you are a Drinker - Ask Your Dentist is it affecting your mouth?
8. Healthy Diet Consumption – Having proper and healthy food not only helps in maintaining fitness and getting a perfect body, but also helps in maintaining your oral structures very well. It helps in having mouth well-lubricated and taking extra care of your teeth and gums. You should always have water after intake of food, so temporary cleaning of teeth can be done. Ask Your Dentist - for a healthy Diet.
9. Avoid Sticky food – Toffees, candies and chocolate, stick to your teeth and allow bacteria to grow on your teeth which cause decay of your teeth. Ask Your Dentist - for a healthy substitute.
10. Visit a Dentist at least twice a year – Go for an oral check up at least every 6 months, to check everything’s fine with your teeth and oral structures. A normal checkup doesn’t cost much, and is very helpful in long run.