A healthy smile must look and feel terrific, with no pain or discomfort. It takes a bit of effort to achieve and maintain a healthy-looking smile. You definitely won’t regret taking care of your hygiene needs, which your dentist will no doubt be happy about.
There are no quick fixes when it comes to doing what’s best for your dental health. Here are 6 smart tips you can use to care for your smile.
1. Brush Your Teeth and make sure to floss
Tooth decay and gum disease are some of the most common oral health issues that a lot of people face. It’s not a stretch to say that a number of people will have had some level of tooth decay by the time they reach adulthood. This coupled with gum disease may lead to tooth loss and a decline in health causing other ailments.
Brushing your teeth regularly is one of the best habits you can have for a healthier smile. As Mathee Dental Studio, we recommend that you brush your teeth for two minutes at a time, at least twice a day. It’s important to take your time and pay attention to what you’re doing. A well trusted and approved fluoride toothpaste will help you fight off bacteria that cause cavities.
After brushing your teeth, pick up that dental floss and get to work. Just brushing your teeth isn’t enough as you can miss up to 40% of tooth surfaces if you don’t floss. Wrap the floss around your index fingers, leaving a couple of centimetres to floss with. Make sure you get that floss all the way up into your gum line and then gently scrape the teeth as you go, taking care not to damage your gums. Then rinse out your mouth afterwards with water.
2. Dental check-up visits
We recommend that every person should visit their dentist at least twice each year. Having a comprehensive dental check will help lay the foundation for all future dental care and recommendations as the dentist gets a close up view of your teeth, gums and mouth. This assessment will be used to detect the presence of any oral health issues.
Dental check-ups serve as a diagnostic measure for your overall health as poor oral health can indicate and lead to other ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure, deteriorating cardiovascular health, oral cancer, gum and bone disease. When you come for your check-up, we will evaluate your teeth, gums and jaw thoroughly to reduce your risk for undiagnosed conditions that can affect your health. Even if you think everything is fine, you never know what lies beneath.
3. Reduce food and drink that stains
There are a number of foods and drinks that are likely to stain your teeth or erode your tooth enamel. These, indulgences in some cases, may have this negative effect on your teeth and might not be worth it in the long run. Some of the culprits responsible for stained teeth include — but not limited to — red wine; coffee; tomato sauce, cola, chocolate, soy sauce, dark berries, and tea.
When you drink anything that has carbonic or citric acidic in it, it may erode the enamel and cause decay. It’s highly advisable to reduce your intake of highly acidic foods and drinks. Anything in moderation usually works, and if you’re not sure what may be staining your teeth, talk to your dentist to get to the bottom of it.
Some foods, including breads; pastas; yogurt; diet bars; diet shakes; cereals, and salad dressings may have loads of sugar you may not be aware of. Always check food labels to see what ingredients may harm your teeth.
4. Invest in tooth-healthy foods
That’s right, there are a number of foods that you can consume that are good for your teeth and can strengthen them to fight against bacteria and plaque build-up. Some foods that can be beneficial for your dental health include fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese; almonds; eggs; and low fat or fat-free milk.
5. Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol
Tobacco and alcohol have some sort of preservative acid in them. They will have a similar effect like citric acid and carbonic acid on your teeth. Smoking can stain your teeth with the smoke forming a superficial stain that can be easily polished off. However, it can also soak into the enamel of your teeth and affect your gums by causing them to recede and develop large pockets around your teeth.
Tobacco increases your risk of developing oral cancer. Alcohol and tobacco will generally damage nerves in your mouth and any cells they come in contact with. If you want a healthier smile and fewer health problems, we advise you cut out these substances from your routine.
6. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months
Most dentists will recommend you use a soft bristle toothbrush so that you brush longer and gently stimulate your gums while removing plaque from your teeth. After each brush, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill any germs that may linger behind on your brush after each use.
High-quality electric toothbrushes are clinically proven to remove more plaque and also stimulate the gums better than the regular manual toothbrushes. Make sure that you replace your toothbrush every 3 months.
For more information about the best oral hygiene practices, please schedule an appointment at Mathee Dental Studio in Somerset West.
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