Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Taking good care of your mouth and teeth throughout your whole life can help prevent problems as you get older. Taking care of your teeth means brushing and flossing every day and seeing the dentist regularly.

1. Always floss.

Flossing is usually skipped by many people because they think brushing is enough. However, this is a very big misconception that needs to be debunked immediately. Brushing can’t clean the small gaps between the teeth, and it certainly can’t remove food debris and plaque from the sides of the backmost molars. Flossing can do all of these and efficiently clean the teeth from front to back.

2. Drink a lot of water.

Water helps wash away food and bacteria left in and around the mouth. It also neutralizes acidity that can erode tooth enamel and weaken the teeth. Make it a habit to rinse your mouth or gargle with water every after meals so that you can get all of those leftover bits and pieces out of your mouth, and also speed up the remineralization process of the teeth.

3. Don’t smoke.

Smoking can make your teeth look yellowish and it also gives you bad breath. Smoking also makes you a mouth breather and affect your saliva production, both of which can affect the teeth. However, apart from the teeth, smoking also has negative effects on majority of the body organs, which means you have a lot more reasons to kick the butt today.

4. Mind your diet.


Teeth also need nutrition to develop and function properly. Eating a balanced diet meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy will provide you with all of the nutrients that your teeth need, such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and phosphorus.


5. Be aware of acidic foods.

Acidity increases the risk of tooth decay and cavity formation because it breaks down the tooth enamel, exposing the dentin and allowing bacteria to penetrate the tooth surface. You don’t have to completely avoid acidic foods, but knowing which foods are acidic will help you take control of your portions.

6. Use the right dental products.

Using the right toothbrush and toothpaste can make a huge difference on your dental health. Don’t cut corners when shopping for oral care products because your teeth might be the one to suffer in the long run.

7. Don’t bite or chew non-food objects.

Nail biting, chewing on pens or gnawing on ice can abrade your tooth enamel, particularly the biting surfaces of the teeth, and result to tooth wear and enamel loss.

8. Chew xylitol gum.

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that fools bacteria into thinking that they can eat it. But bacteria can’t break down xylitol, which means they will starve to death if it’s the only type of sugar around. Chewing on xylitol gum has been found to successfully reduce gum disease and tooth decay. It also promotes saliva production, which increases the antibacterial forces in the mouth.

9. Brush properly.

Take your time whenever you brush. Don’t take shortcuts, especially when brushing the backmost teeth. When brushing, move your toothbrush in all angles, not just 45 degrees. Brush in circular, up and down, side by side, and diagonal motions. This will help you cover all the areas and sweep away all of the food particles and bacteria on the tooth surface. Don’t forget to brush your tongue!

10. Avoid clenching your teeth.

Clenching or grinding your teeth can result to attrition, a kind of wear caused by teeth-to-teeth contact. When this happens, the dentin will become exposed and you may experience severe tooth sensitivity.

11. Don’t ignore symptoms.

Bleeding gums, excessive tooth sensitivity, and even discolored teeth can have underlying causes. If something unusual or new has happened to your teeth or gums, let your dentist know right away.

12. Consult a dental professional regularly.

Dental check-ups every six months will effectively monitor your dental health and ensure that no disease in looming in your mouth. Likewise, if you already have an oral problem, your dentist will be able to treat it early if you get checked on schedule.

By following these tips, you can naturally keep your teeth healthy and reduce the expenses of dental care. However, if you seek the help of a dental professional in providing orthotropics in Auckland not only will you be able to maintain the health of your teeth but also improve your facial appearance. After all, having healthy teeth and a beautiful smile are our main goals for our dental health.

Good oral health isn’t hard to achieve but it does take discipline. Use these tips for a lifetime of taking care of your mouth and teeth.

Infants and children

The first set of teeth is already almost completely formed at birth. At first, these teeth are “hiding” under the gums. These teeth are important, because after they come in, they let your baby chew food and talk well. You baby’s first set of teeth also holds the space where permanent teeth will eventually be. They help permanent teeth grow in straight.

You can care for your child’s teeth by following these suggestions:

Clean your baby’s new teeth every day. When the teeth first come in, clean them by rubbing them gently with a clean wet washcloth. When the teeth are bigger, use a child’s toothbrush.
Children under 2 years of age shouldn’t use toothpaste. Instead, use water to brush your child’s teeth.
Don’t let your baby go to sleep with a bottle. This can leave milk or juice sitting on the teeth and cause cavities that are known as “baby-bottle tooth decay.”
Encourage older children to eat low-sugar snacks, such as fruits, cheese, and vegetables. Avoid giving your child sticky, chewy candy.
Teach your children how to brush their teeth properly and the importance of keeping their teeth clean.
Take your children to the dentist regularly. The American Dental Association recommends that children see their dentist starting at 1 year of age.



Teens

Taking good care of your mouth and teeth will help you have pleasant breath, a nice smile, and fewer cavities. Here are some simple things you can do:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss your teeth at least once a day.
Don’t smoke or chew tobacco, which can stain your teeth, give you bad breath, and cause cancer.
Wear the right protective headgear while playing contact sports.
See your dentist every 6 months for regular check-ups and cleanings.

Adults

Continuing good mouth and tooth care as an adult can help you avoid tooth loss, painful gums, or other problems. If you have any problems with your teeth or concerns about your mouth, see your doctor or dentist right away.

Here are some helpful things you can do:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss your teeth at least once a day.
• Don’t smoke or chew tobacco.
• Ask your doctor if your medicines have side effects that might damage your teeth. (For example, some medicines may cause you to have a dry mouth.)
• Look inside your mouth regularly for sores that don’t heal, irritated gums, or other changes.
• See your dentist every 6 months for regular check-ups and cleanings. 

Things to consider

When you do not regularly take good care of you teeth and mouth, you could experience these problems:

Cavities.

Cavities are caused by tooth decay. Your teeth can decay when you do not brush and floss them regularly to get leftover food off of them. If left untreated, cavities can tooth pain, can cause your tooth to become infected, and can even lead to tooth loss.

Gum disease.

Plaque on your teeth can lead to gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the tissue that supports your teeth. It can cause teeth to become loose over time. There is also evidence that gum disease is related to heart disease. Experts aren’t sure if gum disease makes you more likely to have heart disease or vice versa.

Oral cancer.

Smoking, chewing tobacco, and alcohol can increase your risk for oral cancer (cancer in your mouth). Poor oral hygiene alone may not increase your risk for oral cancer. When you combine it with any other risk factor, though, it dramatically boosts your chances of getting cancer.

Poor self-esteem.

When your teeth aren’t clean, you have bad breath. Bad breath can make you feel uncomfortable at work, school, and in social situations. This can make you reluctant to participate. Longtime poor oral health can result in tooth loss, which can make you smile less. All of these things can damage your self-esteem, or how you see yourself.

When to see a doctor



If you have mouth or tooth pain, do not ignore it. See a doctor or a dentist. The longer you wait, the worse it could be for your mouth. You should also see your dentist twice a year to get your teeth cleaned. If your dentist diagnoses you with gum disease, share this diagnosis with your medical doctor.


This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.