Content writer-Kaae Korsgaard
Taking care of your teeth is important to your health and your appearance. Damaged or rotting teeth cause pain, bad breath and can actually affect other parts of your body, like your heart. Use the helpful advice in the article below to keep your teeth bright, clean and healthy.
Prevention is the key to avoiding expensive dental work. Most dental problems are completely avoidable when you take preventative measures. Some important preventative measures are brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing daily, and seeing the dentist for a teeth cleaning once yearly. Avoiding sugary drinks like Kool-Aid and soft drinks will also help.
Daily flossing is essential to healthy teeth. Take a generous amount of dental floss and insert it gently between your teeth. Move the floss up from the gum on the side of each tooth. This will remove plaque that you can’t reach with your toothbrush and help keep your teeth their cleanest.
Cleaning the area between the tooth and the gum is simple when you tilt your brush 45 degrees to ensure the bristles get beneath the gum itself. https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2021/01/massachusetts-dentists-can-now-get-covid-19-vaccine-but-industry-leader-says-they-need-seat-at-table.html is as important to do to keep dental health high as flossing in the same area of your mouth, so make a point of it.
It is important to replace your toothbrush every three months. Over time, the bristles on your toothbrush become worn and stop performing as well as they should. In addition, bacteria can build up on your toothbrush and become embedded in the bristles. Replacing your toothbrush frequently is a core component of a good dental care regimen.
Certain habits can keep you from having pearly white teeth. If you drink red wine, coffee, dark tea, dark juices or colas, don’t be surprised if you have stained teeth. A good rule of thumb to remember is that if a liquid is dark, it will probably darken your teeth. One way to minimize staining of your teeth is to brush them immediately after drinking these dark beverages. If you are at a location where it is not feasible for you to immediately brush, eating an apple can help you clean your teeth until you can brush them properly.
If your young child is swallowing a lot of toothpaste, consider switching to a toothpaste without fluoride. Fluorideis quite beneficial in keeping teeth healthy, but it can be dangerous if you injest a large amount. A young child does need to brush daily, but sometimes using a non-fluoride toothpaste in the earliest stages of brusing can be beneficial.
If you run out of toothpaste, baking soda and water can be an effective substitute. Simply mix in some water with a small amount of baking soda and use it just as you would toothpaste. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/04/why-fluoride-water/606784/ added benefit to using baking soda is that, along with neutralizing mouth odors, its abrasive nature can help with stain removal.
Make sure you change your toothbrush once every two or three months. After a few months of use, your toothbrush’s bristles will wear out and will no longer effectively brush. This same rule applies for electric toothbrush heads. If your toothbrush is wearing out before two months, it could be a sign that you’re brushing your teeth too harsh.
When you want to eat something between meals, try to avoid sugary snacks. These will just leave your teeth open to cavities and decay. Instead, have fruit or vegetables, or even whole grain carbohydrates. These are better for your overall health as well as your dental situation, but don’t forget to brush after!
Think about switching up to an electronic toothbrush if you have not already. These devices are increasingly recommended by dental professionals. The reason for this is the strong performance they offer compared to manual brushing. Electric toothbrushes are able to cup around teeth and work faster. They also do a better job of cleaning the specific sites that bacteria and plaque tend to accumulate in.
Home whitening kits are a great short-term fix for lightly stained teeth. However, many people report burning and increased sensitivity caused by the gel uses in the kits. If oral sensitivity is turning you off of home whitening, use a fluoride gel immediately before and after you apply the whitening product. Your teeth will be noticeably less sensitive.
Use a powerful mouthwash in both the morning and night. You want to use a product that comes with a little sting. That tells you that it is strong enough to kill the germs that can lead to cavities and gum disease. If you follow this tip ritually you will have a very healthy mouth.
Replace your toothbrush frequently. Regular toothbrushes and electrical brush heads should be replaced about every three months. This will make sure that your most important dental tool can get the job done.
When choosing a dentist, make sure you are able to afford his or her services. It is important that you are aware of any upfront costs and don’t get any nasty surprises after the fact. If you’re unsure what the dentist charges, call or do your research online first and then make an appointment.
Floss your teeth every day. This helps prevent buildup between your teeth that causes plaque and tooth decay. It is important to properly floss for it to be effective. You can also use dental picks to clean between your teeth. They are easier to use and just as effective.
If you are going to use a tooth whitening product from a drugstore, follow the directions carefully. Allowing the whitener to sit on your teeth longer than indicated can result in serious consequences for your teeth, gums, or both. Always stick to the instructions. Stop if you feel irritation on your gums after using the whitener.
Make sure you brush your tongue. This can be a great way to get fresh breath and to eliminate bacteria in your mouth. Just brush your tongue after you brush your teeth. Another idea is to simply get a tongue scraper, which can be more effective than a toothbrush on your tongue.
Be careful to avoid biting any hard surfaces because you can crack the enamel on your teeth. Do not chew ice even though that may be enjoyable on a hot summer day. The ice can make your teeth brittle and the enamel can be damaged without you even being aware of it.
Medications or vitamins that have a high acid content can erode the enamel on your teeth and leave you at risk for cavities, sensitive teeth or decay. Aspirin and vitamin C are two of the more common culprits in this category. Simply rinse your mouth after taking acidic medications or vitamins, especially the chewable ones.
The dentist you decide to see should be one that’s good. Cutting corners just won’t do. Use the information above to guide you toward good dental health.