Your teeth are the only ones you have, and it’s important to do everything you can to take care of them. That means more than just visiting the dentist. It also means eating the right foods, and tossing the habits that can harm them.

Think about all of the things that your smile does for you. You use it as a greeting, as a way to cheer other people up, and maybe you even use it at work. People with poor dental health can find it hard to have relationships, get a job, and their poor dental health can lead to other health issues as well.

Your Dental Health

If you aren’t visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and a cleaning at least once a year then you may be in trouble. Not visiting your dentist can lead to all sorts of tooth problems, and if you aren’t caring properly for your teeth it could be even worse. You should be brushing a minimum of twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, and flossing daily.

If you suffer from sensitive teeth it could be more than a fluke and your dentist will be of more help than a tube of sensitive toothpaste will be. You don’t want to always have to avoid hot or cold drinks or food, just because it hurts to eat them.

What You’re Eating

If you spend most of your day eating sugary foods, you are rotting your teeth. Sugar does a ton of bad things to your body, and damaging your teeth is a big one. If you do have a sugary snack, brush your teeth quickly after to help keep them protected.

However, if you are eating a diet of acidic foods you’ll want to be careful when you brush your teeth. After a remotely large acidic snack your tooth enamel is at its weakest, and brushing too soon can actually damage your teeth.

Cutting back on acidic foods, like many fruits and even wine, can help protect your teeth and keep them healthier longer. Obviously fruit is good for you, just consume it with other, less acidic foods, in order to help keep your teeth safe and healthy.

Tooth Damaging Habits

There are other things you put into your body, other than foods, that can affect the health of your teeth. Smoking can rot your teeth, and chewing tobacco as well, plus you risk mouth cancer. While smoking can also stain your teeth, it’s the tooth decay and gum damage you should be worried about.

Some street drugs can also cause much damage to your teeth, as well as risking your own mortality. Talk to your doctor about prescription medications as well, if you are concerned about dental health, as some of them can cause dental issues as well.