As you age, you are encouraged to be more diligent in maintaining healthy teeth and mouth. The reason is, people aged 40 years and over begin to experience decreased body function. This makes your body more susceptible to health problems, including in the mouth and teeth area.

Oral and dental health is important because it can affect the overall health of the body. For example, when the teeth or gums become infected, the germs that cause infection in the mouth can spread to other organs.

If oral health is not maintained, disease can occur not only in this area, but also in other organs that are attacked by germs from the teeth and mouth. Some studies have also found that poor oral hygiene can increase the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease , stroke and diabetes.

Do this so that the mouth and teeth are always healthy

To maintain healthy teeth and mouth in your 40s or older, you can do the following:

1. Brush your teeth 2 times a day

Clean your teeth at least 2 times a day, namely in the morning after eating and at night before going to bed. When brushing your teeth, use a toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste that contains fluoride . Brush your teeth slowly and take your time so as not to injure your gums.

Tooth brushes need to be replaced every 3–4 months or if the bristles are damaged. This is important to prevent the risk of spreading infection due to germs on the toothbrush and so that your teeth can be cleaned more effectively.

2. Use dental floss

Toothbrush alone is not enough to clean dirt stuck in the corners or between narrow teeth. If left untreated, this dirt can cause plaque buildup, which over time can cause cavities.

Therefore, clean between your teeth with dental floss ( flossing ) every time you finish brushing your teeth. Do flossing slowly so you don’t injure your gums.

3. Complete with mouthwash

Complete your oral and dental care by gargling regularly with mouthwash . However, avoid using mouthwash when you have just finished brushing, because it will remove fluoride from toothpaste that has coated the surface of your teeth. Choose another time to use mouthwash, such as after lunch.

Mouthwash not only keeps you from bad breath and makes your breath fresher. According to research, mouthwash also has a number of benefits for oral and dental health, such as helping reduce plaque, maintaining healthy gums, and protecting teeth.

For the record, you are also advised not to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after using mouthwash . This is to reduce the risk of ingesting the active substances or ingredients contained in the mouthwash. You can also use supplement steel bite pro to reduce gingivities. For those of you who want to buy this supplement, you must read steel bite pro reviews first

4. Limit consumption of sugary foods or drinks

The growth of bacteria in the mouth will increase if you frequently consume sweet foods or drinks. This happens because bad bacteria use sugar as their energy source. When digesting sugar, these bacteria will produce acids that can damage tooth enamel.

Therefore, you need to limit the consumption of sugary foods and drinks that contain lots of sugar, such as soft drinks, chocolate, ice cream, and candy. In addition, limiting sugar consumption can also prevent you from developing diabetes .

If you consume sugary foods and drinks, immediately drink water or rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash to prevent sugar from sticking to your teeth and in the mouth.

5. Stay away from cigarettes

Cigarettes contain thousands of harmful substances that can weaken the immune system and damage various organs, including the mouth, teeth and gums.

Various studies have shown that people who smoke have a 2 times higher risk of developing gum problems, such as gingivitis , than people who do not smoke. Therefore, to maintain overall oral and body health, stop smoking. In addition, also avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.

6. Cut down on alcohol consumption

Alcohol can cause various problems with the teeth and mouth, including plaque buildup and teeth turning yellow.

Too often consuming alcoholic beverages also causes a decrease in the production of saliva which makes the mouth dry , making the teeth and mouth vulnerable to damage and infection. The habit of consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverages can also increase the risk of oral cancer.

7. Check your teeth regularly

Oral and dental problems in the early stages often cause no symptoms and are difficult to detect. Symptoms generally appear only when the condition is severe. Therefore, get your teeth checked regularly to the dentist at least every 6 months so that the health of your teeth and mouth is well monitored.

With regular check-ups, your doctor can detect problems with your teeth and mouth early, so that treatment can be done immediately. That way, problems with your teeth and mouth will also be easier to overcome.

Maintaining oral and dental health is not difficult. The key is to stick to the above efforts consistently and make it a habit or part of your daily routine.