8 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Brushing
- Most dentists recommend you brush at least twice a day but brushing after every meal is even better.
- Whether electric or manual, select a toothbrush that allows you to easily clean all surfaces.
- Dentists also encourage replacing toothbrushes every 3-4 months.
Picking a Toothbrush:
- Make sure your toothbrush fits your mouth.
- Using a fit toothbrush makes it easier to achieve clean teeth.
- Some people find that electric toothbrushes make it easier to spend the dentist-recommended two minutes on teeth cleaning.
Picking a Toothpaste:
Pick a toothpaste that can help shield your teeth from tooth sensitivity and help fight cavities, tartar, plaque, gingivitis, stains, and bad breath.
Proper Brushing Technique:
- Hold your toothbrush at approximately a 45-degree angle to the teeth you are brushing.
- Go all the way behind your last tooth on each side.
- Use small, tooth-sized strokes to brush the surface of each tooth, rather than large, sweeping strokes.
- Make sure to clean all three sides—front, back, and top of the chewing surface.
Flossing
- Flossing is as important as brushing your teeth.
- Flossing improves the health of teeth by removing food particles stuck amid the teeth and reduces the daily buildup of plaque and bacteria on the teeth.
- If you have trouble sliding floss between your teeth, try waxed floss or wide floss.
- Take up about 18 inches of floss, so you have a clean piece of floss to use on each tooth in the cleaning teeth process.
- The floss is then curved into a C-shape as you slide it up and down along the side of each tooth.
- Make sure to floss every side front and back of both the left and right of the upper and lower teeth.
Rinsing
- Mouthwash will boost your teeth cleaning routine with additional germ-killing and plaque-preventing properties.
- It leaves your mouth germ-free and clean.
- There are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic types of mouthwash available in the market.
- You can choose according to your preference.
Don’t forget the Tongue
- People often forget to clean the tongue after toothbrush.
- Tongue scraping is equally vital for maintaining the health of your teeth.
- Neglecting the tongue can lead to oral diseases.
- Gently brush the tongue once you are done with the teeth.
Drink More Water
- We know that water is the best beverage for overall health and the same goes for oral health.
- Thoroughly wash your mouth with a sip after eating.
- This helps get rid of any sticky and acidic residue.
Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks
- Plaque is made by the combination of molecules of sugar with saliva and bacteria that could be present in your mouth.
- Plaque breaks down the enamel of your teeth which causes cavities.
- These cavities can be sometimes painful.
- Make sure to avoid food and drinks with high sugar content for healthy teeth.
Brush twice a day
- There are plenty of reasons to brush your teeth twice a day: it prevents bad breath, gets rid of damage-causing bacteria and plaque, removes stains, and much more.
- Follow the routine of brushing your tongue, flossing the teeth, and mouthwash for healthy and clean teeth.
Visit your dentist twice a year
- Your everyday habits are crucial to your overall oral health.
- At a minimum, one must visit their dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups.
- Not only can a dentist remove calculus and look for cavities, but they will also be able to spot potential issues and offer treatment solutions.