Like many people, your current dental regimen focuses only on brushing your teeth and flossing occasionally. Actually, taking care of your mouth doesn’t always start with your teeth. Lifestyle habits, health conditions, and even heredity can all influence oral health. As you will soon see, there are countless simple things you can do to care for your mouth, teeth, and gums.
A toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. If your toothbrush’s bristles tend to become frayed before the three to four months, you will need to replace your brush sooner. As soon as you notice the bristles fraying, you should discontinue use and go purchase a new toothbrush.
After you have brushed your teeth follow up with a good fluoride rinse. A fluoride rinse will help protect your teeth by hardening the enamel on your teeth. For the greatest benefit rinse for at least one minute. The proper procedure for rinsing is to swish the mouthwash between each tooth; then, finish with a quick rinsed to help freshen your breath.
A visit to the best cosmetic dentist in south Florida is a good idea if you regularly see blood after cleaning your teeth. Gum disease often presents itself as bleeding gums. Gum disease can make you vulnerable to losing your teeth, bone loss, infection and even diabetes.
Eat what are known as detergent foods. These are foods that naturally clean your mouth as you eat them. Apples are the most famous example. Other choices include raw carrots, celery and popcorn. Ending a meal with a detergent food is a great way for your mouth to end the eating cleaner.
Brush your teeth twice a week with baking soda. Use it just like you would toothpaste normally. Baking soda will help whiten your teeth over time. You can also use regular salt as a replacement. Just remember never to swallow either, otherwise your sodium levels might get higher than they should.
It is important to replace your toothbrush every three months. Over time, the bristles on your toothbrush become worn and stop performing as well as they should. In addition, bacteria can build up on your toothbrush and become embedded in the bristles. Replacing your toothbrush frequently is a core component of a good dental care regimen.
Check your toothbrush for how hard the bristles are. You want something that is soft or even medium grade. Hard bristles can actually wear down your enamel over time. You want something that can remove debris and clean the surfaces of your teeth, but not actually do damage to them.
A toothache has been said to be right up there, if not worse than labor pains. For this reason, it is important to address a toothache at the very first sign of pain. Don’t assume that the pain will just pass. Get it checked out to make sure there is not something more serious going on like an abscess, which can turn serious rather quickly.
If you are. A person who grinds your teeth at night, consider Botox injections. One dentists use a small amount of Botox injected into the jaw to relax the muscles and bring a stop to stress related grinding. Wile this method is usually effective, it will need to be repeated about once every three months.
Try to get to your dentist every six months for a checkup. It is important that regular dental cleans are attended to. Your dentist will inspect your teeth for gingivitis, cavities, plaque and other problems. Catching dental issues early and treating them right away can help you save a lot of money on the long term.
If your child will be receiving laughing gas at a dental appointment, make sure he or she does not eat for at least two hours before the appointment. Sometimes laughing gas can cause a bit of stomach upset. If the child has eaten recently, this can cause increased discomfort and even vomiting.
Always choose a toothpaste that has scientific evidence to back up its effectiveness. For example, a toothpaste such as Colgate Plus has the evidence and the effectiveness for optimal teeth and gum health. It is important that all of your toothpaste choices are clinically proven to reduce your risks of getting dental disease.
To keep your teeth as clean as possible, pay attention to the way you brush. Many people only brush from side to side, which does not help remove debris from the gums. Instead, use circular motions and hold your brush at a 45-degree angle as you move along the gum line.
Flossing should be an important part of your daily dental plan. Floss at least once daily. For best results, floss before bedtime. Flossing helps remove food particles before brushing your teeth. Never use a sawing motion when flossing. Instead gently move the floss up and down between each tooth.
Avoid sweet sticky foods. Foods such as taffy, caramels and soft candies will stick to your teeth and cause cavities. If you want to occasionally enjoy these sweet treats, immediately brush and floss your teeth after eating them. Brushing and flossing immediately after eating these sticky foods will protect your teeth from cavities.
Every time that you brush your teeth you should floss your teeth thoroughly. Flossing is the best way to remove food from in between your teeth, which will then greatly reduce the chance that you will get cavities. The more often that you floss, the better, especially if you do it after every meal.
If you want fresh breath, brush two times a day and don’t forget to brush your tongue. Bacteria tends to gather on the tongue and this can lead to bad breath.
Remember that your teeth are also crucial to your overall health. It’s true that you need to take care of your teeth to prevent toothaches, keep your teeth looking beautiful, and keep your dental bills down. However, oral health is essential to the health of your whole body. Having tooth problems may lead to heart disease, diabetes, systemic infections, an inability to speak or eat properly, and many other things that could be fatal. Even crowded or crooked teeth can cause gum disease that results in tooth loss.
A combination of regular dental visits and simple hygiene habits goes a long way in promoting good oral health. Do it for yourself, or do it for your dentist. Either way, you can be certain that your efforts will pay off in more ways than one. Now that’s something to smile about!