Teeth are very strong and will be there forever if you consistently perform proper dental hygiene. Proper care of the teeth requires routine and correctly perform cleaning at home, accomplished by brushing with fluoride toothpaste as well as flossing twice a day. Additionally, you must visit your dentist for exams and cleanings at least bi-annually. Accurate execution of these cleaning protocols wards off cavities and gum disease. Avoiding gum disease and cavities reduces the likelihood that you will eventually lose a tooth.
The sticky, white, filmy coating that constantly builds up around your teeth and gums is known as plaque, and plaque is the breeding ground for the bacteria that cause cavities. Plaque is formed when particles of food and saliva mix with the bacteria that lurks within your mouth. As you consume foods heavy in starch or sugar, acids can be produced that will wear away at your enamel, which coats your teeth.
If you are continuously exposed to plaque, your enamel can fail, which leads to a cavity. Gum disease is also a major consequence of plaque buildup. Where one tooth touches another, plaque can toughen and turn into tartar at the base of the tooth if it is not eliminated by a good cleansing. The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis, where gums become swollen and bleed when brushed or flossed.
If left untreated, gingivitis can eventually advance to Periodontitis, the receding of gums that leave teeth loose and exposed. Left unchecked, you can experience tooth loss as the connective tissue starts to break down at the gums.
Plaque is managed by frequent visits to the dentist and excellent personal hygiene. Proper brushing includes using short side to side motions at a bit of an angle on your teeth. Brush teeth for a minimum of two minutes, cleaning the inside, outside, chewing surfaces and brushing the tongue. Using this method will clean the teeth, freshen breath and remove bacteria. It is in your best interest to brush your teeth after each time you eat a meal. Most people find it suitable to do it twice a day.
Professionals suggest using a toothbrush with gentle hairs. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months. If the bristles become bent or splayed sooner, replace the brush. The use of an electric toothbrush does not replace flossing. The best way to remove plaque and discourage tartar buildup is to brush after each meal and floss regularly. An interproximal brush may also be used to get in between teeth. Instruments specially designed for small spaces between teeth are also available.
Professionals recommend ways to use floss for best results. Take 12-18″ of floss from the container and gently place it between two teeth. Step two, move the floss around each tooth base northward and southward for a couple of repetitions. Remember to floss in back of the last teeth and to use a new, fresh area of floss for each tooth.
Some like waxed floss because it moves well. Seek further help or the use of a floss holder if you are having problems. If you have not been flossing normally, there is a chance your gums will bleed for a while. Continue flossing and if the problem persists, make sure you speak to your dentist. Next we will talk about your diet’s effect on teeth. Consuming a lot of sweets and drinking beverages heavy in sugar in between your daily meals is the main way to get cavities. This is because you are exposing your teeth to even more acid than normal. However, there are foods that can offset tooth decay. You can neutralize the acid that damages tooth enamel by consuming aged cheeses after eating sugary foods.
To stimulate saliva and wash away food debris, snack on crunchy apples or pears as their high water content helps dilute some of the sugar. Another way to increase saliva flow is by chewing sugarless gum. Eat and drink healthy foods full of calcium such as green leafy vegetables, yogurt, and milk, or take calcium supplements. Fluoride is also instrumental in battling cavities.
Fluoride mouthwash or a fluoride application done by a dental professional are ways to get fluoride if there is not any in your water. If you have healthy teeth, you should still go to see your dentist at least twice a year. Make an appointment with a dental professional if you have bloody gums, if your mouth hurts or if your teeth seem to move, in addition to biannual cleanings. Through use of proper dental hygiene along with twice a year check ups, your health can last you a lifetime.
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