Just like how the push of a single domino can topple over the next several hundred dominos in line, your oral care acts similarly in regard to your overall health and well-being. Often the smallest things in life make the biggest impact later on. That said, here are a couple of those small, simple things that you should start doing or improve upon today (if you haven’t already) that will help you avoid serious oral health problems in the future.
Maintain Good Dental Hygiene
This piece of advice may seem obvious—after all, we have all been prompted to brush and floss since we were little—but it is too often neglected. Maintaining good dental hygiene is one of the most impactful, important things you can do to avoid future health issues. Good dental hygiene not only includes brushing twice a day: It also includes flossing daily, using an antiseptic mouthwash, drinking lots of water, visiting your dentist at least once a year, and refraining from degrading habits, like smoking.
Have Your Wisdom Teeth Removed
If you haven’t felt any pain or discomfort from your wisdom teeth, you may think that it isn’t necessary to remove them. However, just because they aren’t bothering you now doesn’t mean that they won’t bother you later. Having your wisdom teeth removed is an important part of preventative oral health care that will ensure you won’t face future, costly dental issues like malalignment or jaw damage. But if the procedure intimidates you, rest assured that you will probably be under general anesthesia. With general anesthesia, you’ll be unconscious for the entire procedure.
Eat a Nutritious Diet
What you eat affects your body—including your teeth—considerably. You may not feel the negative effects of a bad diet now, but the repercussions will soon come if you don’t make the necessary changes. Your risk of major oral problems and diseases greatly decreases by eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains while limiting your consumption of sugars and processed foods. Don’t forget to get sufficient calcium in your diet too.
At the end of the day, one of the best things you can do to avoid serious dental problems later in life is to communicate frequently with your doctor and to get your teeth professionally cleaned by your dental hygienist at least once a year. It may seem like a waste of time and money now, but the future benefits will be so worth it in the end. Trust in your dentist’s advice and don’t procrastinate your oral health.
Check out this article on the most important habits you can develop for better teeth!
