Your teeth are not just an important part of your appearance; they also help you chew and speak properly. If you lose one or more of your teeth, it can have a devastating effect on your self-confidence. If you take good care of your teeth, you can avoid tooth loss in the future. Here are five helpful tips for avoiding tooth loss.

Quit Smoking

Do you need one more reason to quit smoking? If so, know that smoking cigarettes can put you at risk of tooth loss. Smoking can restrict blood flow to your gums, putting them at risk of infection. If your gums get very infected, you have a higher chance of losing your teeth.

Limit Sugary Foods

Eating a doughnut or cupcake every once in a while is okay, but eating sweets too frequently is not good for your pearly whites. Sugar can linger on the surfaces of your teeth and cause plaque to form, putting you at risk of tooth loss. If you do eat something sweet, do not forget to at least rinse your mouth with water afterward.

Stop Grinding Your Teeth

Grinding your teeth could be a nervous habit, but it is very harmful for your pearly whites. If you grind your teeth frequently, you can wear down the enamel of your teeth. If breaking the habit is difficult for you, ask your dentist about getting a mouth guard.

Include Calcium-Rich Foods in Your Diet

Another way you can prevent tooth loss in the future is to include calcium-rich foods in your diet. These foods will strengthen the enamel of your teeth and make them less prone to cracks and chips. Great calcium-rich foods to add to your diet include yogurt, milk and cheese.

Do Not Use Your Teeth As A Tool

If you have ever opened a bottle or loosened a knot with your teeth, you are not alone. However, using your teeth as tools can wear down the enamel and put you at risk of tooth loss. You should never use your teeth for anything except chewing food.

Following these helpful tips will make you less likely to lose your teeth in the future. However, if you still lose teeth, you have the option of getting dental implants. These implants are very durable and look just like your natural teeth. If you take good care of them, they can last you a lifetime.