While most of us do not enjoy dental visits, we are all happy to hear that our teeth look fine and there are no cavities or other problems. Regrettably, tooth decay and cavities are very common, especially for people who do not have a complete understanding of how to care for their teeth. You don’t need a degree in professional dentistry to have health teeth and gums. A healthy routine simply requires a few easy steps.
The first step is to toss your worn out, non-electric toothbrush and replace it with anelectric model with fresh, new bristles that can be replaced at least every 90 days. If your budget doesn’t allow for a deluxe toothbrush like the Sonicare Elite Special Edition Power Toothbrush or the Oral B Professional Care model, a no-frills battery operated toothbrush will work just fine. They are available at most discount department stores and drugstores for $5 or $6.
Most people brush once first thing in the morning and again at bedtime, but brushing after lunch and dinner is just as important. Keep a package of non-stick, sugar-free game (preferably one with xylitol) handy for times when you don’t have access to a place where you can brush your teeth. This will help prevent plaque build-up and tooth decay and keep your mouth fresh and free of embarrassing bad breath.
Brush vigorously for three to six minutes each time you brush. It may seem like a long time, but the results make it well worth the investment. After you’ve brushed your teeth, you should rinse your mouth out with something effective which will help keep your teeth strong, help fight plaque, keep down the number of cavities, restore minerals to your tooth enamel, and get rid of the germs that cause bad breath (remember, you don’t want to offend friends and coworkers every time you open your mouth to talk to them).
Flossing every night is at the top of the list of the essentials of good oral hygiene. Just use a piece of floss around 10 to 18 inches, put it between your teeth, move it to the bottom of your gums, and use 10 or more vertical movements to take out food pieces and plaque. To have good, strong gums that are largely free of bacteria (“floss only those teeth you want to keep,” a dentist one said) this will help to preserve your teeth.
Flossing regularly keeps gums healthy and they won’t bleed a bit during cleanings at the dentist.
Sugary, sticky foods undermine your efforts for a beautiful, healthy smile. You should only eat sweets when you are in a position to brush and floss immediately afterward, if you must indulge in sweets at all (and who doesn’t from time to time?). In addition, rather than consuming sweets that are devoid of nutrition over a long period of time (like downing candy while working at your desk), have a cookie or slice of pie (at least that have a little bit of nutritional value), and finish it within a few minutes. This is better for your teeth and lets you focus your full attention on what you are doing. Better still, consider snacks like cashews, raw carrots and pretzels.
Good dental care is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. A program of regular brushing and flossing combined with preventive measures will assure a bright, healthy smile and easy, fairly inexpensive trips to the dentist. Visit your dentist every six months.
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Tags: bright smile, brushing, flossing, health teeth