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Teeth can sparkle in a good smile but they can cause you to curse when you have a toothache. Careful oral hygiene is the key to not spending too much time at the dentist’s office. The answer lies in small daily practices that can improve your overall health and general health of your mouth and teeth. |
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1. A diet rich in calcium and vitamins
You don't usually think about diet causing teeth decay but you need calcium to keep your teeth and bones healthy. It can be found in dairy products, broccoli, fortified orange juice and cereal, and other leafy green vegetables. You might also consider taking a supplement.
If you don’t have a diet rich in multivitamins opt for a multipurpose vitamin supplement as Vitamin D, Vitamin B complex, copper, zinc, iodine, iron, and potassium all play important roles in your oral health.
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2. Replace your toothbrush regularly Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every three to four months to prevent bacteria from growing. It also ensures your bristles aren’t soft and ineffective. Dentists also suggest Investing in an electronic one as they brush faster and are better for brushing your gums, which need equal attention. |
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3. Brush your teeth twice a day This is old advice, but this doesn’t stop it from being true. The best way to make sure your teeth are healthy is by brushing them twice a day. Spending 2 to 3 minutes brushing your teeth, in a back-and-forth and up-and-down motion gets rid of plaque and food particles that rest on or in between your teeth. |
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4. Brush your tongue and gums too Brushing your gums helps prevent gum disease which can cause your gums to swell and bleed easily. Make sure to spend a minute brushing your gums too. Lots of bacteria rest on the roof of your mouth and tongue, which can cause bad breath. Brushing your tongue helps prevent acid from buildup and gets rid of bacteria. You can buy a professional tongue cleaner to help with this. |
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5. Quit using tobacco It’s horrible for your health overall and dental health specifically. Tobacco prematurely ages the mouth and leads to mouth cancers. Smoking tobacco stains teeth and interrupts calcium absorption in your body. Additionally masking the smell of smoke means using chewing gums or sweets high in sugar, or drinking tea and coffee, which are notorious for teeth decolorization. |
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6. Find a friendly dentist The very mention of dentists conjures thoughts of discomfort, pain or torture for some people. Despite that it’s important to have someone you trust keeping an eye on your teeth, so why not find one you like. Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations. If a dentist likes their job and you like them, you won’t dread visiting them.
7. Get a cleaning Visit your friendly dentist once or twice a year. You should also get a cleaning by the hygienist. A doctor can check for signs of disease (usually by taking x-rays). Most oral diseases like periodontitis, gingivitis, and oral cancer don’t have symptoms in their early stages. Catching these types of ailments early will be more affordable, easier to treat and less painful overall. |
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8. Flossing equipment
You often hear the dentist nagging you about this one. Fortunately, there are many floss aides and interdental brushes on the market to help you reach those remote to deep parts of your mouth that toothbrush bristles and mouthwash cannot wash away. Flossing removes food and plaque, which form bacteria, which can cause decay. Dentists recommend flossing once a day, usually before bed.
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9. Use mouthwash, in between brushing and flossing
This is an effortless purchase that can accompany brushing and flossing, however, rinsing doesn’t replace these good practices. Mouthwash not only gives you good breath in between brushings, but it helps prevent gum disease such as gingivitis. A good mouthwash contains Listerine or chlorine dioxide, which works at killing and maintaining bacteria in your mouth. Mouthwash should also have fluoride in it to maintain strong teeth (see #12).
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10. Use a Straw
Sodas, cordials, and fruit drinks are high in food acids, which can soften tooth material and break up minerals in tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Coffee, alcohol, and sodas have high amounts of phosphorous, which are healthy in small amounts, but excess amounts reduce calcium. A lot of these drinks have additives such as corn syrup or food dye, which dull and discolor white teeth. In this case, using a straw helps.
11. Chew sugarless gum
Gum chewing can be really beneficial for oral hygiene because it stimulates saliva flow. This buffers acids and helps bacteria that lead to decay from forming. Opt for sugarless gum, namely those with xylitol, which has shown to reduce cavities comparatively to other sweeteners. Gum with sugar is more problematic as bacteria in dental plaque can change sugar into acids.
12. Get a fluoride treatment
Dental hygienists can provide you with a topical fluoride treatment. This substance helps harden tooth enamel, creating stronger acid resistance and decreasing the risk of decay. Fluoride is added to drinking water in several countries but can also be found in toothpaste and mouthwashes.
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| Title Image: www.freedigitalphotos.net |
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1. 12 Natural Remedies to Treat That Toothache!
2. Cavity Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
3. Everyday Habits That Promote Tooth Decay
4. 8 Natural Ways to Fight Back Against Plaque
