Caring for your teeth is of vital importance to your general health. However, too many people neglect proper dental hygiene and end up with painful and expensive problems with their teeth. If you need to take better care of your teeth, the following advice can help you maintain a healthier mouth.
If you have had your teeth whitened, you’ll want to avoid any foods that may stain your teeth. In most cases, a person will have their teeth whitened and then find that they do not stay that way for long. This is caused by eating and drinking foods or liquids that stain, such as red wine and colored food.
The best way to maintain a beautiful smile is to visit your dentist on a regular basis. Usually you should visit your dentist at least every six months. This will help your dentist identify any issues before they become serious problems. Also, with regular cleanings, your mouth will be as healthy as possible.
Take the time to regularly brush your teeth. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day. You should spend about three minutes brushing your teeth. Use toothpaste with fluoride and be gentle. Always keep in mind that floss should be used once your teeth have been brushed clean.
It is important that you get rid of your toothbrush about every two to three months. Eventually, the bristles on a toothbrush grow weak from over-useage. This prevents the toothbrush from actually cleaning your teeth and can actually cause damage to your gums. Also, if you’re sick, get a new toothbrush once you are better.
Many young children are terrified by the thought of going to the dentist. If you help them understand that the dentist wants to help, they may not feel so afraid. Your child will be more comfortable if you go to a pediatric dentist who knows how to deal with scared children.
It is important to make things fun when teaching young children how to care for their teeth. Let them pick out their own kid-friendly tooth paste and tooth brush so that they will be excited about using it. Children tend to respond better when you actually offer them choices and allow them to make their own dental care decisions, within reason.
Strengthen your existing enamel with the foods that you eat. Certain vitamins and the mineral calcium, in particular, all help out with this. Foods that are good to accomplish this with include nuts, meats and dairy choices. Avoid sugary foods, soft drinks and sweetened teas, as these will do immediate damage to your enamel.
Many people end up with cavities between their teeth, and the reason is that they don’t floss and brushing alone doesn’t get all the food out. It’s best to floss after you brush your teeth twice a day, but once a day is better than none at all, of course!
After you’ve completely brushed your teeth, brush your tongue too. All sorts of built-up gunk can develop on your tongue, and this can cause everything from bad breath to gum disease. A clean mouth means every surface, so brush your teeth and tongue and then floss for the best hygiene.
If you don’t like the taste or texture of toothpaste, consider instead using a paste of baking soda and water. This is a great formula for scrubbing the teeth gently while also leaving a healthy feeling to the mouth. Baking soda is all natural, so it won’t cause any problems when you use it.
Get your teeth cleaned twice a year by a dentist. Getting your teeth cleaned is important. At the cleanings, the dentist thoroughly scrubs your teeth, checks for gingivitis and cavities, as well as any other issues. If you catch dental problems early enough, some of them are easy to treat; neglect usually leads to procedures that are more invasive.
Drink your milk! Calcium plays a role in the hardness of bones and teeth, so you should ensure that you’re getting enough dairy in your diet. It is also said that those with a high-dairy diet end up with fewer other health related problems, so enjoy a glass of skim milk today!
You should be able to communicate freely with your dentist. Don’t hesitate to find another professional if you do not have a good relationship with your current dentist. Dental hygiene is important, so get a new dentist. Sooner is better than later.
You should look towards your insurance provider if you are looking for a dentist. By consulting your insurance company, you can be sure of getting a list of qualified providers who are covered by your insurance. You can then take this information and look through every dentist they recommend to find a reputable one.
After reading this article, you should better understand the basics of proper dental care. By taking good care of your teeth, you decrease the chances of developing painful cavities or other problems. Try to instill good dental habits in yourself so that you will have a happy, healthy smile for a lifetime.
