The health of your teeth is an important part of your overall health. Dental diseases are linked to a variety of health issues and can be painful, expensive and difficult to treat.
Good oral hygiene practices, regular checkups and diet help keep your teeth strong. By following these tips, you can enjoy a healthy smile for life.
Brushing
Brushing your teeth is one of the most important things you can do to maintain a healthy smile and prevent tooth decay. It helps remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that clings to your teeth and gums. This buildup can lead to gum disease and cavities, both of which are serious dental problems that require a dentist’s intervention.
The American Dental Association recommends that adults and children brush their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. It is also a good idea to floss at least once per day to remove food particles that may be caught between teeth.
You should use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste that has been approved by the American Dental Association. Avoid using a brush that has frayed bristles or a hard plastic handle because it can damage your teeth and gums. You can also rinse your mouth with water after brushing to help wash away any traces of toothpaste.
When you are ready to brush, insert the brush at about a 45 degree angle against your gumline. Apply a small amount of toothpaste and begin to sweep the brush in short, gentle strokes across each tooth. Be sure to cover the entire outside surface of each tooth, including any chewing surfaces or back molars.
Once you have brushed each tooth, flip the brush to the opposite side and repeat on the other side. Do this until you have cleaned the entire top row of teeth and the bottom rows. You should also make sure to brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth.
After brushing, rinse your mouth with water to wash away any toothpaste residue and excess saliva. Spit out the remnants of the toothpaste, saliva and water into a clean sink.
A good way to keep your teeth and gums healthy is by eating a balanced diet that limits sugary beverages, snacks and foods that can damage tooth enamel and cause decay, such as acidic fruits and vegetables like grapefruit, lemons and oranges. This will help to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy for a lifetime.
Flossing
Flossing is a key part of your daily teeth care routine. It can help remove plaque and food debris that your toothbrush can’t reach, and it may also help reduce the risk of gum disease and tooth loss.
Typically, flossing involves breaking off about 18 inches of dental floss and winding it around one finger as an anchor to hold the other end in place. Next, guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion.
After a tooth is positioned, curve the floss into a “C” shape against it and slide it up and down the side of the tooth. Repeat this on each tooth, going as close to the gumline as possible.
The goal of flossing is to clean the sides of each tooth and remove plaque that has built up. If you just use a sawing or running motion to slide the floss between your teeth, you’re missing much of the side and back of each tooth, which can lead to gum disease.
You’ll get better results if you move to a different section of the floss each time you floss. This keeps the strands in good condition, and helps prevent them from getting dirty from bacteria that linger on the sides of your teeth or from the floss itself.
Aside from removing plaque that brushing can’t remove, flossing also improves blood circulation in the mouth. This can protect your gums from gingivitis and other dental problems later in life, and it can help prevent a number of health conditions, including heart disease.
It’s important to remember that flossing doesn’t have to be painful or complicated. As long as you’re gentle on your teeth and gums, you’ll have a healthy smile.
In addition, flossing may be the best way to keep your breath fresh between brushings. The process can dislodge stray food particles that get caught in between your teeth and make it easier to rinse them away with water.
Generally, flossing should be done at least once per day, whether in the morning or before you go to bed at night. Flossing at night can help prevent plaque and food particles from building up on your teeth throughout the night.
Regular Checkups
Getting regular checkups of your teeth is an essential part of ensuring that you keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Not only does it ensure that your dental hygiene is maintained, but it also allows the dentist to assess any problems you might be experiencing and treat them if they occur.
In addition to checking your teeth and gums, the dentist will also assess your general health and lifestyle habits. This includes taking your blood pressure and asking about dietary choices.
It is important to make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet that includes sufficient amounts of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, which are good for your teeth. This can help prevent tooth decay and other oral health issues, which can often lead to serious health complications.
At your dental checkup, the dentist will examine your mouth thoroughly to detect any potential oral health problems, including gum disease, tooth decay, infection, and even head and neck cancer. They may also take X-rays to help identify any hidden issues and establish a treatment plan.
The dentist will then clean your teeth to remove plaque and other buildups that daily brushing and flossing can’t completely eradicate. This will help to reduce the risk of gingivitis, gum infections, and tooth loss.
A professional cleaning can also prevent the development of gum disease, which is caused by plaque and tartar that develops in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, so early intervention is necessary.
If you have any symptoms of gum disease, such as red or swollen gums, bleeding while brushing, receding gums, and bad breath, make an appointment for a visit to your dentist right away. This will allow the dentist to treat the problem before it has a chance to worsen.
As part of the examination, the dentist will also measure your gum “pockets” to identify any areas that might be infected. They will then take X-rays of these areas to determine whether or not there are any signs of bone recession.
Having a bright white smile is an important factor in self-confidence and can improve your overall social life and relationships. It can also boost your confidence when you speak to new people and can help you get a job or promotion at work.
Diet
The food and drinks you choose can have a huge impact on the health of your teeth. The right diet can help prevent cavities, gum disease and bad breath while reducing the risk of other health problems as well.
Eating a balanced diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables and quality protein is the best way to protect your teeth from decay. It also helps your body use the vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly.
Avoid foods and beverages that are high in sugar or starch. They are bad for your oral health because they stick to the surface of your teeth and provide a feast for harmful bacteria that feed on sugar.
Crackers, chips and candy are another common culprit of cavities because they have a lot of sugar in them that will quickly stick to the surface of your teeth and provide nourishment for the harmful bacteria that cause plaque buildup and tooth decay. The sugar in these products is highly digestible, so it can take only a few seconds for the bacteria to feast on them and produce acid that eats away at your tooth enamel.
Milk and yogurt are both excellent choices for your oral health because they are low in sugar and are rich in calcium and other important minerals. Milk and yogurt help to lower the level of acid in your mouth that can contribute to dental decay by fighting off plaque and preventing cavities.
Fruits are also great for your teeth because they have a high water content and help to stimulate saliva production in your mouth. Saliva helps wash away food particles and neutralize acids that can lead to tooth decay.
Vitamin C-rich fruits like berries, grapefruit, oranges and strawberries can help to protect your teeth from decay. They also contain antioxidants that neutralize the acid that can eat away at your teeth and gums.
Drinking plenty of water is a great habit to keep because it can help to balance out the amount of sugar you eat and drink. It also can help to flush out food and bacteria that can lead to bad breath and gum disease.