Each of us dreams of a beautiful white-toothed smile, which is why regular hygiene and oral care is very important. With inappropriate care, you run the risk of getting a number of unpleasant dental problems, such as gum disease, various infections, thinning of bone tissue, as well as other diseases (strokes, heart attacks, and many others). A thorough brushing of your teeth and a preventive dental check-up every six months will help you prevent all of this. Plus, with these simple steps, you can ensure good oral hygiene.
Below is a list of 10 helpful tips to take on board if you want your teeth to be healthy and beautiful.
1. Thorough cleaning
This is the easiest and most affordable way to keep your mouth clean. All you need to do is hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line. That is, both gum lines, as well as the surface of the teeth, should be in close contact with the bristles of the brush. Bring your jaws together and use back and forth, up and down movements to begin brushing the outer surfaces of your teeth. Do not apply too much pressure on the toothbrush – you can damage your gums. To clean the inner surface of the teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and teeth. The movements are the same: up and down, back and forth. Do not forget about the tongue and palate – they are often the main cause of bad breath (poor hygiene contributes to the active multiplication of bacteria, which, in turn, It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day to prevent excessive acid build-up, a result of bacteria breaking down food. If, for any reason, you cannot fully cleanse your mouth, then it will be useful to rinse your mouth with water after each meal. This will remove food debris from your teeth, depriving the bacteria of the nutrient substrate.
2. Dental floss
Many will say that it is too tedious and tedious to floss after every snack or meal. Many people simply forget, others neglect this simple procedure. But in vain. After all, only dental floss can penetrate the most inaccessible places, unlike the most professional brush or rinse aid. Dental floss perfectly cleans the interdental space, removes plaque, removes food debris. Dentists recommend flossing at least once a day.
3. Quit smoking
Believe me, your teeth will thank you so much! First, quitting smoking will save you from possible oral cancer and various periodontal complications. Secondly, you will reduce the use of lollipops, gum, tea, coffee, since there will be no need to mask the tobacco smell. This is also a big plus for dental health.
4. Limit consumption of carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol
The fact is that all these drinks contain a lot of phosphorus. And although it is a useful mineral for the oral cavity, it causes a calcium deficiency in large quantities, which entails serious problems with teeth and gums. Caries also develops due to a lack of calcium in the body. Also, these drinks often contain various additives such as corn syrup and food colors – they are very harmful to tooth enamel. Even the whitest smile will quickly fade if you do not limit the use of sweet soda, coffee and alcohol. Milk is what is needed to strengthen the enamel and nourish the dental tissue. Do not forget about clean water – it will nourish your body with life-giving moisture and help maintain healthy teeth.
5. Calcium and other vitamins are essential for oral health
Calcium is essential to maintain a beautiful smile. Lots of calcium. This mineral is very important not only for teeth, but also for bones. Include milk, freshly squeezed orange juice, yogurt, broccoli, cottage cheese, and other dairy products in your diet. You may want to consider taking additional nutritional supplements and vitamin complexes, but only after consulting your doctor. Remember: Calcium and Vitamin D are good for teeth and gums. Vitamin B plays an important role in protecting the oral cavity: it prevents bleeding and cracking of the gums. Copper, zinc, iodine, iron, and potassium are also essential for proper oral hygiene.
6. Visit your dentist regularly
It is necessary to visit the dentist at least twice a year for preventive examinations and hygiene procedures. In addition, it is necessary to take an X-ray of the oral cavity from time to time in order to exclude or detect any pathologies.
7. Use a mouthwash
Not all rinses help. You need to choose exactly the liquid that suits you. For example, Listerine mouthwashes contain chlorine dioxide, which is very beneficial for teeth because it kills bacteria, removes plaque, and prevents bad breath. Of course, you will not be able to achieve perfect oral hygiene with rinse aid alone, but as a finishing touch, after daily manipulations with a toothbrush and floss, it is perfect.
8. If you have a toothache
If you have a toothache, do not delay your visit to the dentist. The doctor diagnoses the cause of the pain and removes it. Don’t wait until a minor discomfort develops into a major problem.
9. Problems with teeth can provoke serious diseases
We all need to pay great attention to the state of the oral cavity, because it is the teeth and gums that are an indicator of the level of general health. Dental problems can lead to diabetes, diseases of the cardiovascular system, various infections, as well as speech defects and inability to chew food. Crooked teeth cause inflammation of the gums, which in turn can lead to tooth loss. Remember: straight teeth are not just for beauty.
10. Be sure to clean your tongue
The tongue should be cleaned daily. With the help of a special tongue brush, you can remove pathogenic bacteria from the tongue surface, which are the cause of many diseases and infections. In addition, due to the vital activity of bacteria, bad breath (halitosis) appears on the rough surface of the tongue.
