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Basic Care For Healthy Teeth
May 16, 2011Search more topics here
Keeping your teeth healthy can be
as simple as following a few simple tips. However, even the easiest tips can go
by the way side every once and a while causing bacteria and acid in the mouth
to run rampant and cause cavities. The best way to keep your teeth healthy is
by following the basic principles of brushing and flossing. Most people weren’t
taught proper techniques on how to care for their teeth. By lacking this basic
knowledge you can be doing a disservice to the health of your teeth. Follow
these basic guidelines to proper care for your teeth and you will be smiling
wider from this day forward.
1.
Throw away your toothbrush-
Toothbrushes, believe or not are a
breeding ground for bacteria. Even though you rinse your toothbrush after you
use it small amounts that aren’t even discernable to the eye may be left to
flourish. Or bacteria from the surrounding counter or sink can come into
contact with your toothbrush as certain points in time. Additionally, after
using your toothbrush for 12 weeks in a row the stiffness of the bristles begin
to wear down. Therefore you aren’t getting the same pressure to remove plaque
and bacteria from your teeth as you were when you first bought your toothbrush.
Therefore, it’s best to recycle your toothbrush every 3-4 months. This way you
continue to get a clean, strong tooth brushing experience.
2.
Visit your dentist at least twice a year-
Dentists are the
most knowledgeable people in regards to your teeth. Although, most people hate
going to the dentist, it can actually be a great learning experience. Even
though the dentist is there to tell you if you have been treating your teeth
badly, they can also encourage you to have healthier, whiter teeth as
well. Dentists can teach you how
to more effectively brush and floss without making it a difficult process.
Therefore go for a checkup at least twice a year and don’t hesitate to ask your
dentist the really hard questions either!
3.
Electronic toothbrushes-
Much like many of our other gadgets,
even toothbrushes have gotten an upgrade to electronic versions. In actuality,
electronic toothbrushes are better than the regular manual toothbrushes. The
reason- not everyone brushes with the same intensity. Some people brush too
hard and some brush too soft. In the case of brush too hard, you can actually
brush the enamel right off the top layer of your teeth. If you brush too soft
you risk leaving bacteria and plague on your teeth, which can eat away at the
enamel and cause cavities. With an electronic toothbrush it moves on its own so
you don’t need to apply any extra pressure, just let the bristles move on their
own. This ensures that you are getting all the bacteria off of your teeth,
leaving you with a happy, healthy smile.
4.
Flossing-
Flossing is one of those things that everyone should
do, but only a small percentage of the population actually does it. With the
new flossing aids in the market now a days it makes flossing much easier. The
old flossing methods made it hard to reach to the very back teeth. Floss picks
can reach far in the back of the mouth and behind teeth. Make sure to properly
floss by gently getting in between each tooth, going around each tooth and
reaching behind the teeth.
5.
Stop snacking and chew on gum-
Snacking causes sugar to sit on
your teeth. Bacteria in the mouth come to the teeth to feed on the sugar, which
creates acid that causes tooth decay. By chewing gum, you stimulate saliva
production. Saliva flushes food and bacteria off of the surface of the teeth.
It is preferable to chew sugarless gum or gum containing xylitol, a sugar
alcohol. Rather than attract bacteria, xylitol fights it making a good
ingredient for gum chewers.
6.
Toothbrush to go-
With the advent of new flossing aids and
electronic toothbrushes, there is also a new way to bring a toothbrush with you
where ever you go. New mini on the
go toothbrushes are the size of a tube of lipstick, easily storable in your
purse and are a toothbrush, toothpick and breath freshener all in one. These
disposable toothbrushes are great for after lunch, coffee or just as a breath
freshener during the day.
7.
Drink more water-
Water is one of the consistent ways to
continually keep bacteria and germs from resting on your teeth. Water flushes
left over food particles and bacteria out of your mouth. Not to mention that
water neutralizes the pH balance in the mouth making it less likely for acid to
form. This means less cavities and a healthier smile.
