Benefits of Preserving Your Natural Teeth

Although dental problems can be an emotional and financial burden, these problems are not uncommon in today's society. In the United States, nearly a quarter of adults have untreated cavities and nearly half of the population has gum disease. In Vietnam, more than 90% of the population suffers from oral diseases.

Gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss, but is preventable and even reversible in some cases.

Read more: 15 Common Dental Problems and Tooth Diseases

These oral problems are common, but it's important to be aware of the benefits of practicing good oral health and keeping your natural teeth.

Benefits of natural teeth

• The first and foremost reason to maintain and preserve your natural teeth is economic. If you invest the time in practicing good oral hygiene and go to the dentist regularly, you will save money on expensive repairs and restorations later. In addition, you won't have to spend much time on dental chair. This can help in alleviating the fear of dentistry in patients.
• Another benefit of preserving natural teeth is that you retain your jaw structure and facial shape. Usually, the bridge or denture may not fully fill the space after the tooth is pulled, which can cause bone resorption or breakage. Make the mouth wrinkles deeper, cheeks, mouth sucked in, making your face older. Eventually, your teeth will also shift to try to fill this gap, causing occlusal changes, aesthetics, weaker teeth and reduced chewing power.
• As your teeth tilting or moving, they can become more difficult to clean, leading to cavities and gingivitis.

How can you preserve your teeth?

One of the best ways to keep your real teeth is to practice good oral hygiene. ADA recommends brushing your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush and a fluoride-containing toothpaste twice a day (at least 2 minutes at a time), flossing to clean between your teeth every day, use mouthwash daily, limit snacking between meals and visit the dentist for a recommended oral health check.

The benefits of keeping a natural smile

• Self - Confidence is one of the most important effects of a natural smile. Younger generations believe their natural teeth are the most important key to maintaining their appearance.
• Aside from a desirable natural smile, a tooth repair or replacement is costly and time consuming. Investing in preventive oral care, such as regular dental check up and good oral hygiene at home care , is the best way to preserve your natural smile and avoid costly dental repairs in the future.

Ways to preserve your natural teeth

In addition to brushing, flossing and regular dentist check up, maintaining your real teeth includes enamel and aesthetic care. For example, red wine is acidic which means it can damage tooth enamel, making teeth more spongy. This is why red wine is known to stain teeth. Other pigmented foods and beverages like coffee, tea, ketchup and even berries also cause teeth to discolor over time.

Although the most effective and safest way to whiten teeth is with a professional whitening procedure at the clinic. However, there are also some simple home remedies you can try.

Read more: Teeth whitening – Things you need to know

Natural surface plaque removal can be done at home and usually takes no more than 20 minutes a day. It is important to check with your dentist before trying home remedies.
These are gentle and workable methods for those who experience tooth sensitivity. Some of the methods include:

• Activated carbon - Activated carbon is known to clean teeth and remove toxins, which can provide radiant smiles and healthier gums.
• Apple cider vinegar - the main ingredient in apple cider vinegar is acetic acid, which is an effective antibacterial agent. It has been used for centuries as an antiseptic and can in some cases whiten teeth.
• Hydrogen peroxide - a hydrogen peroxide rinse can help remove stains and bacteria from the mouth and gums. It is important to use a concentration of 3% or less. Higher concentrations can irritate and damage tooth enamel.
• Baking soda - baking soda has natural whitening properties and can help remove dental plaque. Since baking soda is mildly abrasive, it's important to check with your dentist before trying this method at home.