in your mouth create an acidic environment that can lead to tooth decay. It takes times for your saliva to neutralize the acids so if you are eating too frequently, the environment in your mouth will be in a perpetual acidic state which significantly increases your chances of developing tooth decay.

6. Avoid sticky, sugary food that can get stuck in your teeth

Sweets like toffees easily get trapped around your teeth and increase the time it takes for the saliva to neutralize the acids in your mouth.

7. Avoid drinking sweet drinks

Or if you must, try drinking with a straw. A straw takes the liquid to the back of your mouth and reduces the contact time with your teeth.

8. Visit your dentist regularly for dental check-ups

Dental check-ups help determine if there is anything wrong in your mouth. Often dental problems remain undetected until they become large problems. For instance, tooth decay is often painless until the cavity progresses more deeply into the tooth. Most people only visit the dentist when they develop pain from a tooth and by that time, the cavity has progressed so deep that the treatment becomes more complicated and involved.

By visiting the dentist regularly, minor tooth problems can be detected early and nipped in the bud before they can develop into big problems.

During a dental appointment, your dentist will check your teeth for cavities, and faulty fillings, crowns, bridges or dentures (if you have any) that need replacing or repairing. The dentist will also check your gums for gingivitis or periodontitis (gum diseases) and other structures in your mouth for more sinister medical conditions (for instance, oral cancer).

The frequency that you should be visiting the dentist depends on your oral health. You can start with regular six monthly check-ups. If at each check-up you receive a clean bill of dental health, you can reduce the frequency of your check-ups to once a year. You can further reduce the frequency of your check-ups to once every two years if your oral health is still in a good state with yearly check-ups. It is not advisable to see your dentist less frequently than once every two years.

Learn more about this author, Shen-Li Lee.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

---

Add your voice

Know something about How to improve daily dental health?
We want to hear your view. Write now!