by Troop Atomic Mommy
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Most of us value having a beautiful smile and a healthy mouth that is free from pain or decay. Nobody wants to lose a tooth but tooth loss is not at all uncommon, especially as we get older. In fact, around 1 in 6 American adults over the age of 65 have none of their own teeth left at all!
Luckily, there are lots of sensible measures you can take to avoid tooth loss being something that happens to you, including the following:
#1 Brush and floss regularly
The most important thing you can do to avoid tooth loss is to brush your teeth twice a day and floss 1-2 times each day, too. This will help to get rid of food debris and bacteria that can cause decay, which will eventually lead to tooth loss when left unchecked.
#2 Have regular dental checkups
If you can catch a potential problem with your teeth quickly, you can treat it more effectively and it will be less likely that you will lose a tooth or need to have one pulled. That’s why you should be making regular appointments to see your dentist. Once every 6 months is usually enough, unless your dentist has requested that you see them more often. The most important part of this is to keep your appointments and reschedule when you do miss one.
#3 Get dental implants
If you have already lost a tooth, and you do not want to lose anymore, then something you can do is invest in dental implants. Implants will fill the gaps that result in lost teeth, thus supporting existing teeth and preventing them from shifting. They will also improve the health of your mouth, so you will be far less likely to lose a tooth overall.
#4 Use fluoridated toothpaste
Fluoridated toothpaste is really important if you want to maintain strong, healthy teeth. Fluoride has been shown to help teeth fight against acid attacks. This means they will be less likely to decay or need to be pulled. Fluoride toothpaste is readily available and very affordable, so there is really no reason not to use it each day.
#5 Limit alcohol and tobacco
Both alcohol and tobacco have been linked to a slightly increased risk of oral cancer, which can not only cause your teeth to fall out, but more importantly, can make you very sick and potentially even result in death. For the good of your health, oral and general, it is a really good idea to limit the amount of alcohol you drink, and if possible, you should try to give up tobacco completely.
#6 Avoid sugars
It’s fine to eat a little sugar now and again, but it is one of the worst things for your teeth. Allow sugar in your nutrition by way of fruit. Try to incorporate it moderately. And plan to brush your teeth 30 minutes after consuming sugar. If you brush sooner, you will just be brushing the debris into your teeth, weakening them further.
The Takeaway
As you can see, there are lots of simple things you can do to avoid tooth loss and maintain that beautiful smile of yours throughout your life!