Those pearly whites cannot look after themselves. Despite the enamel on teeth being the hardest substance in the human body – enamel is even tougher than bones – this protective coating can break and wear away without the right care. Your teeth need your help from day-to-day to remain in tip top condition.

Taking care of your dental health should be a vital part of your daily routine. Even the simplest changes can prevent damage that will stay with you for the long term.

In this blog post, we reveal the top ways to protect your teeth so you can look and feel amazing not just now but for years to come.

Discover the best way to brush

This first tip may seem like a simple one, yet you’ll be surprised by just how many people have been getting tooth brushing so wrong.

The vast majority don’t brush their teeth twice a day or for the recommended time, leaving teeth prone to a range of problems.

Poorly brushed teeth make you more susceptible to gum disease, staining, bad breath, and even more serious health implications. Poor dental hygiene for instance has been linked to a higher risk of strokes, heart attacks, and dementia. Oral-B offers some handy advice to help you brush up on your tooth brushing skills:

“To brush your teeth correctly, spend at least two minutes using a recommended technique, which includes 30 seconds brushing each section of your mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left), both morning and night.

Since most manual toothbrushes don’t have built-in two-minute timers, you may want to have a clock handy so you can be sure you’re brushing long enough.”

Manual or electric toothbrushes both work well, just be sure to choose a soft-bristled brush and a fluoride toothpaste.

Beware of over brushing

Another tooth brushing faux pas that can actually diminish protection is over brushing. Brushing too hard may leave your teeth sparkling clean in the short term, but can result in irreparable damage that can wear down enamel and cause issues in the long term.

Over brushing teeth for a prolonged period will wear away enamel, exposing dentin, and nerve endings to cause increased pain and sensitivity.

Never rinse after brushing

Rinsing after brushing is a habit that many of us have. Unbeknown to most however, rinsing is a big no-no in the world of dental hygiene. Rinsing after brushing actually removes the concentrated fluoride that continues to clean your teeth long after brushing has come to an end.

While it’s important to spit out excess toothpaste, the fluoride that remains offers great preventative effects. Rinsing dilutes it however lessening these effects.

Never rinse your teeth after brushing, and don’t use mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth either. Even fluoride mouthwash has the same effect as rinsing with water.

If you do want to include mouthwash in your daily dental hygiene routine, choose a different time to use it, such as after a meal.

Don’t forget to floss every day

To provide your teeth with five-star protection, be sure to floss every day. Flossing loosens dirt and debris that brushing misses, helping to remove plaque and prevent troublesome tartar build-up.

Including flossing in your daily regime will mean less time in the dentist chair as tartar build-up generally has to be removed professionally.

Swap sugary drinks for filtered water

Sugary soft drinks are one of the top causes of tooth decay. As well as attacking that super strong enamel, sugary drinks create cavities, cause staining, and damage the internal structure of teeth.

Swap sugary drinks for still, filtered water to discover a refreshing drink that really takes care of your teeth. A water-rich diet unlocks many more plus-points for your health and wellbeing.

Water drinks don’t have to be boring either. Infused water recipes – lemon water is our favourite – are delicious, nutritious, tooth-friendly and hydrating.

Missing the bubbles from your sugary drinks? Enjoy the occasional sparkling water to get your bubble fix without putting your teeth at risk.