Your smile is one of the first things that other people notice about you. Keep your smile looking bright and beautiful by maintaining proper dental health. Here are eight ways that you can keep your teeth and mouth healthy.
1. Proper Brushing
FREQUENCY
To keep your teeth clean and your mouth clear of bacteria, you need to brush at least twice a day. Brushing after every meal and before bed is even better. Each brushing should last at least two minutes.
METHOD
Brush with the bristles slightly tipped towards the gums, to brush any food particles out of the gum line. Spend time on the front, back and top of each tooth, moving from the back of the mouth to the front, and repeat on the top and bottom set of teeth. Using an electric tooth brush ensures a more thorough brushing. Once the teeth are brushed, brush your tongue and gums as well. THE DENTIST AT 123 DENTAL explains that one of the easiest ways to reduce your bad breath is to brush your tongue when you brush your teeth.
Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride. There are toothpastes for sensitive teeth, whitening teeth, halitosis and tartar control. Whichever variety you choose, ensure fluoride is an ingredient.
2. Floss Daily
Floss between your teeth at least once a day. There are different kinds of floss to suit every type of person including waxed floss, string floss and floss picks. The picks make it easy for kids to floss, and there are floss sticks for people with braces.
Gently run the floss between each tooth, without cutting into the gums. Use a clean section of floss or rinse your floss pick for each section of teeth.
If flossing is causing too much discomfort, you can use a water system to spray jets between teeth for clean out debris.
3. Use Mouthwash
Finish your teeth cleaning system by rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash. This kills all bacteria that may have been missed in your mouth and gives you fresh breath.
4. Proper Nutrition for Dental Health
Eat a healthy diet and take vitamins to maintain the best overall health, which includes your dental health. Choosing crunchy foods like apples and celery can assist with natural teeth cleaning throughout the day. Staying hydrated with water is also important for your oral health.
Avoid sugary drinks and sweet snacks or have them in moderation. They cause tooth decay and can lead to other health concerns like obesity and diabetes. This includes fruit juices and many chewing gums.
Acidic foods like tomatoes and lemons can be hard on your teeth and should be eaten in moderation, with proper teeth cleaning after they are consumed.
5. Avoid or Moderate
Smoking is the leading cause of mouth disease. It also causes yellow teeth and bad breath so it should be avoided completely. This includes chewing tobacco, cigars and pipes.
Alcohol can deplete the body of necessary nutrients and have a negative impact on your health. It should be consumed in moderation.
Chewing gum choices should always be sugar free, if necessary at all.
6. Teeth are for Food
Save your teeth from harm by using them for what they are intended, chewing your food. They are not for opening bottles, holding items or carrying things when your hands are full. Avoid chewing non-food items like the end of your pen, your fingernails or ice cubes. Your teeth may seem like a handy multi-tool, but they aren’t. Use them for food only to have the best dental health.
7. Protect Your Teeth
Protect your teeth from harm by wearing face masks or mouth guards during sporting activities. There’s a reason that hockey players are often missing teeth… a hockey puck to the mouth will always win against an unguarded set of teeth. Also protect your teeth from grinding by wearing a night guard if recommended by your dentist.
8. Regular Dental Visits
Visit your dentist every six months for a routine check-up and cleaning. This is the easiest way to avoid any expensive dental repairs or unpleasant treatments like root canals and fillings. Your dentist can tell you if there is anything you need to improve on with your oral care.
While you may get a second set of teeth in your life, there are no more chances in adulthood. You’re your teeth clean and strong so you can enjoy great food like apples, corn on the cob and steak for the rest of your life. Show your children that you take your own dental health seriously and they will do the same for their teeth. Proper oral care is uncomplicated and not time consuming. Take the few minutes a day to take care of your smile so that it will last you a lifetime.
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