A good smile says a lot about your personality. You get a ton of compliments when you have good looking teeth. Your teeth help you chew food, speak clearly and make you look good. Believe it or not, those pearly whites are also a mirror to your overall health. In today’s blog, there are some simple tips and tricks for a healthy mouth.
1.Don’t Sleep Without Brushing
Weโve all heard you need to brush twice daily. But how often do you actually follow through and do it? Germs and food collect on your gums as the day goes on. You need to get rid of it before you sleep. After dinner, germs in the mouth go crazy on all the acids and food over your teeth. These germs and microorganisms create holes in your teeth called cavities. If you don’t stop it, it can lead to tooth decay and inflamed gums. Day brushing is important, but when you brush at night, youโve signified that youโre no longer eating for the rest of the day, and youโre giving your teeth a rest. This means no midnight snacking!
Have you ever wondered whether you’re brushing correctly or not? Many of us arenโt! Use a soft-bristled brush, and go in gentle, small circles on your back teeth. As for your front teeth, brush in a vertical direction. Do this for 2 minutes. People often go to and fro on their teeth, which is not a good method for cleaning. As the saying goes, you donโt need to brush all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep. As for the types of brushes, a soft brush will go easy on your teeth. Donโt use one with hard bristles unless your doctor tells you to.
Electric brushes can help you up your oral hygiene game. Many brushes come with pressure indicators that stop you from brushing too hard. This can keep your gums from getting damaged. Excessive enamel wear due to hard brushing can also be avoided. Some brushes have built-in timers that ensure you brush for those two whole minutes. Make sure you change your brush regularly. You should replace your toothbrush every 3 months. If you’re noticing that your bristles are too bent, you may have to replace it earlier.
3.Use An Anti-cavity Toothpaste
There are hundreds of types of toothpaste you can get. Just make sure your toothpaste has a special chemical called fluoride. This is an absolute showstopper. Fluoride is a powerful chemical that stops microorganisms from forming cavities. There may also be additional benefits in your toothpaste like teeth whiteners, and pleasant flavors. But as long as thereโs fluoride, youโre good. Fluoride lays an invisible protective layer over your teeth, which safeguards them from cavities. Studies have shown that using fluoride can prevent cavities much better than just brushing and flossing.
If your water supply is fluoride deficient, you might see white, frosty patches on your teeth. This indicates fluorosis, which requires you to immediately up your fluoride level. The first step towards this is using a fluoride-rich toothpaste. If possible try leaving the toothpaste in your mouth. Donโt rinse it off with water. Just spit it out without swallowing. This will allow the fluoride to stay a little longer on your teeth.
4.Clean Your Tongue
Your tongue harbors a ton of microorganisms. Itโs the perfect hiding place for bad bacteria. Rotten food and microorganisms hide in the tiny crevices. Over time, your breath will start to smell. This is why itโs good to use a tongue cleaner. If youโre comfortable using the backend of your brush, you can scrape your tongue lightly with that. Cleaning your tongue will clean your taste buds, which might make you taste things better. Thatโs a bonus!
We know this must be the millionth time youโve heard about flossing. The importance of flossing should never be dismissed. Wind floss around your fingers and make your way gently between two teeth. Don’t floss too hard. It may cause lacerations and bleeding. Flossing helps get rid of the plaque stuck between the corners of your teeth. This removes those nasty chunks of broccoli. Gentle stimulation of gums can reduce inflammation and keep away bad breath. Consider this as a relaxing massage for your gums. It’s recommended you floss at least once daily. Flossing is as important as brushing. If youโre new to flossing, start with ready-to-use dental floss. You can also try the water flosser, which has revolutionized manual flossing altogether.
6.Use the Correct Mouthwash
Your dentist will recommend mouthwash according to your needs. There are mouthwashes meant to remove plaque, maintain acidity in your mouth, reduce sensitivity around the gums and even demineralize your teeth. It’s a blend of antibacterial agents and essential oils that leave a refreshing aftertaste. Children and elderly who are unable to brush properly have more use for mouthwash than others. But this doesnโt mean brushing and flossing are less important.
7.Drink More Water
Water is the best drink ever. Are you having too much soda and juice? You may say no, but your teeth tell a different story. Soda and juice make your mouth more acidic, while also giving you excess sugar. If youโre not into guzzling down water with every meal, try some green tea. Or fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Add lemon slices, cucumbers, or mints for a fresh summer drink. Water will keep you hydrated and prevent dry mouth. A dry mouth is more vulnerable to cavities. If youโre a mouth breather, you will have a dry mouth.
8.Go To the Dentist
Taking a trip to the dentistโs office has always been scary. Make a point to visit them every six months. It doesnโt matter if you have dental problems or not. Your dentist will remove the hardened tartar you canโt get to. Don’t miss this tooth cleaning. Other oral conditions like gum diseases and cancer can be checked by your dentist.
9.Watch What You Eat
Itโs hard to resist chocolates, cookies, pudding, cake and ice cream. But what you eat will stick in the gaps of your teeth. Sticky candy is especially notorious for this. Studies show lowering your sugar intake by just 5% of your daily calorie count can drastically reduce your risk of cavities. If youโre a fan of other sticky foods like chips, bread and pasta, your teeth will be at double risk. These foods linger in the mouth for a long time, making it much more acidic. Bacteria will soon multiply.
Instead, have some fiber-rich fruit and vegetables. You can eat dairy products without added sugars. Sugar-free snacks are gaining popularity. Sugar-free gum can help as well. If you love ready-to-eat foods, it’s time to stop. Donโt cut fruit into small pieces. Just bite into the whole fruit and get those jaws working. This will stimulate your teeth and keep them strong.
10.Stay Away From Foods That Stain Your Teeth
Things like tea, coffee, and wine are bound to make your teeth dull. The colored pigments in these foods settle on the outer surface of your teeth. They can lose their natural brightness. Smoking also puts tartar on the tooth and gum surface. It can also make your lips darken, stink up your breath and yellow your teeth.
11.Keep Mints and Breath Sprays Handy
Bad breath is the most common oral problem. It’s embarrassing and gross. Keep mints and breath spray around if youโre out. Just know these are products that just mask the foul smell. If you want to address this problem from its root, you have to do everything else weโve talked about.
12.Face Yoga
Face yoga is a natural face sculptor that increases blood circulation in and around your mouth. Those of you wanting to look younger can try face yoga. This gives you a sharp jawline, healthy gums, and good lips.
Remember if you take care of your teeth now, theyโll take care of you in the long run. Many people won’t have perfectly aligned teeth, but it doesnโt make you any less attractive. A carefree smile is the best smile.
