When we move into adulthood, we are bombarded with responsibilities like finding a career, finishing school, having children, taking care of our homes, and so on. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed with new items on our checklist that we allow things like personal hygiene to fall by the wayside and forget to put ourselves and our health at the top of our priority list. Well, the time has come to finally put ourselves back at the top of our list and take care of ourselves, starting with our dental hygiene. We have come up with a few ways you can maintain good oral health well into adulthood.
Quit smoking once and for all
Yes, it’s true; the time is now to finally stop that terrible smoking habit and prioritize yourself by taking care of your oral health. Smoking is not only bad for our lungs and throat, but it is also terrible for our mouths and teeth. The nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes can rot away your teeth, cause sores in your mouth, and can even affect the integrity of your jawbone. Plus, all of that can lead to cancer or other serious illnesses. Try your best to quit smoking. You and your teeth will be glad you did.
Consider getting rid of problem teeth
If you already have teeth that are causing you problems, it is sometimes better to get rid of them; that way, the problem teeth do not impact your other healthy teeth. You can have them removed and get dentures, or you can go for some cheap dental implants, giving you a more permanent solution and a worthwhile smile. However, according to this experienced dentist in Harrisburg, this will still depend on the severity of the situation. If the teeth can still be saved through other treatments, it’s best to keep them than to completely extract them.
Maintain a healthy diet
We know that life gets overwhelming, from things like adding puppies into the family to starting a new job, worrying about your older child’s education, or deciding to stay home to look after the younger kids. All of that adds up and causes us to eat out, make poor food choices, or have a few cups of coffee to get through the day. But most people don’t think of the effect that three cups of coffee and sugary or salty foods have on our smiles. We know it might not be possible to cut out coffee and sweet/acidic foods completely, but it is a great idea to take a step back by resetting your health and evaluating what you are consuming and its effect on your teeth.
Get your kids on board with you
Sometimes being an adult means you start a family. In doing so, you are now the role model for them, and your habits become their habits and vice versa. By making your oral health a priority, you are not only ensuring you have good dental hygiene, but you are making it so your kids grow up with good oral health as well. Then, when the whole family is on board with proper dental health, you will all be ready for those upcoming family photos.
Ask for help
Doing things alone isn’t always an easy task, so we want to encourage you to ask for help when you need it. Oral health help can come from your primary doctor, your dentist or hygienist, and even your therapist. Ask them the questions you have and see how their expertise can help you out.
Maintaining your oral health as an adult isn’t always easy, but it is worth the dedication and commitment. Allow the ideas we have listed above to inspire you to take care of your teeth and your oral health. When you do, you are giving yourself the chance to change and grow into a happier, healthier adult.
