Seven Tricks for Keeping Teeth Healthy
Keeping the mouth clean and free of gum disease and tooth decay can be tricky, but there are a few different ways in which the likelihood of having a healthy mouth can be achieved. Discussing your dental health with a dental professional can give you a specific plan of what needs to be accomplished, such as brushing or flossing more often, but the following list can help those looking for a general idea about ways they can improve their oral hygiene.
- Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is a necessity for overall health, but it can be beneficial to the overall health of teeth. Drinking frequently can remove excess food or bacteria that can get stuck in the crevices of teeth. The less food remnants on teeth, the less bacteria can grow, decreasing the likelihood of gum disease. While remaining hydrated is important, it is important that water be the No. 1 thing being put into the body. Drinking soft drinks or sugary beverages can damage tooth enamel and decrease the healthiness of teeth rather than increasing it.
- Use fluoride
Fluoride helps protect teeth from tooth decay and can be found in many dental products. The enamel-protecting substance has been said to be a great advancement in the field of dentistry due to its highly positive side effects. Fluoride can be found in toothpastes and even in some water supplies. While fluoride is a beneficial tool to use to protect against tooth decay, too much can potentially cause white spots on teeth so it’s recommended that it is used in small amounts. Many places in the United States have added fluoride to their drinking water per the recommendations of dental associations and have seen an increase in better dental hygiene as a result.
- Brush teeth minimum twice a day
Brushing your teeth sounds like an obvious way to keep the mouth healthy, but many people don’t do it properly. To keep teeth free of foods and avoid plaque or even gum disease, it is necessary to brush your teeth once in the morning and once at night. Those with the healthiest mouths go above and beyond this and brush their teeth after every meal. Ridding your teeth of excess food after eating can be an easy way to achieve a healthier mouth.
- Avoid tobacco products
Tobacco products are deterrents to overall health but also cause problems with dental health. Tobacco can cause discoloration, inflamed gums and bad breath due to a buildup of plaque. Avoiding tobacco products can increase the health of teeth and decrease the chances of getting gum disease. Smoking tobacco products can lead to oral cancer and teeth and bone loss in the jaw. Chewing tobacco is just as potent and can even cause more staining than smoking tobacco.
- Use your teeth appropriately
Teeth are often misused as tools to open things or rip things in half. Wrongly using teeth as tools rather than for eating and chewing can lead to oral health problems such as cracked or fractured teeth, or jaw joint issues. The same problems can occur from chewing on hard substances like ice cubes and crusty breads. Avoid putting your teeth through stress they weren’t designed for to avoid unnecessary tooth damage.
- Visit the dentist regularly
Dental professionals should evaluate your teeth at least twice a year to verify that there are no cavities or gum disease or other issues affecting your dental and overall health. Visiting your dentist regularly also means that your teeth get a thorough cleaning, reducing your chance of getting gum disease or other oral problems. Discussing your dental health with a dentist can be very beneficial to improving it as they may have recommendations that will fit your specific needs that you might not have known otherwise.
- Eat healthy foods
The types of food you are consuming can affect the quality of your teeth, especially if sugars and starches are consumed in excess. Sugars and starches are the favorite cuisine of bacteria, and the more of it stuck between teeth, the more bacteria will call your mouth home. While not all bacteria are detrimental to good oral health, many bacteria cause gum disease and bad breath. Eating healthy gives bacteria less food to eat and significantly improves your chances of avoiding gum disease. This trick to a healthy mouth also goes hand in hand with brushing after every meal because brushing removes excess foods and plaque.
The post Seven Tricks for Keeping Teeth Healthy appeared first on Bro Dental.
from Bro Dental http://ift.tt/1H3radk
via IFTTT
