Your teeth are strong, but they can become damaged in many ways. You should do your best to keep your teeth in excellent condition so you can decrease the chances that you will eventually need dentures. Follow these four simple tips to make your teeth as healthy as possible.

1: Ward off cavities

A cavity causes a hole to develop in your tooth. Once you get this hole, it is easier for even more damage to be done since the inner materials of your tooth will be unprotected. Before you know it, you may begin suffering from extreme tooth decay. There are a few things you can do to decrease your chances of getting cavities.

• Follow good oral hygiene habits daily, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
• Stay away from foods high in sugar content or that is high in acids.
• Chew sugarless gum after meals to help remove leftover food particles.
• Increase your dairy intake so you get more calcium.
• Don't skip your dental appointments.

2: Don't grind your teeth

Teeth grinding is something you may be doing without knowing it. This is especially true since most people grind their teeth in their sleep. Ask your partner if they hear you grinding your teeth at night and look for signs such as the onset of headaches, a sore or tired jaw, or sensitive teeth. If you notice any of these, you should tell your dentist immediately. Teeth grinding will wear off the protective layer of your teeth, making them more susceptible to problems.

3: Wear the appropriate protective gear

If you play in any contact sports, you will want to get a properly fitted mouth guard from your dentist. Make sure you wear the mouth guard during all of your practices and at all games. It will significantly decrease your chances of suffering a loose, fractured, broken, or knocked out tooth.

4: Don't smoke cigarettes

If you are a smoker, you should seriously consider quitting. Smoking can weaken your immune system and this leaves you more vulnerable to suffering a gum infection. It also doubles your chances of getting gum disease. A gum infection or gum disease will eventually take a toll on the overall health of your teeth.

By following the four tips above, you can decrease your chances of needing dentures. However, if you do eventually lose some of your teeth, dentures offer you a great option for replacing your teeth. Contact an establishment like Northwest Dental Services for more information.