Smiling is one of the things that people do the most. When we meet new people, we smile, when we are happy we smile; even when times are rough, we try to smile it out! Kidding aside, our teeth are one way to tell on how a person cares for his body. Since brushing our teeth is one role that we should be doing at least twice a day, it’s a no-brainer to think the same. Even when we were children, our parents never failed to remind us to brush our teeth. This is because dental or oral problems are never great. But besides that fact, what other things can we do to maintain a healthy, glowing smile?
Although brushing our teeth regularly can save you the dilemma, it’s not always the case. Not all people have the same mouths, structure of teeth, and dental conditions. So it’s still best to consult your dentist on how you can properly care for the health of you and your children’s teeth. But in this article, we will be detailing a few of the things that you can do to ensure that you don’t grow unnecessary things on your teeth or worse, let it decay.
FUN FACT: It’s a common misconception that our teeth are bones… To tell you honestly, they’re not. Well at least they’re not considered as bones.
Never go to bed without brushing your teeth
It’s kind of a simple thing to do and yes, your parents tell you or told you this all the time but it’s as important as it sounds. Why is this so you may ask? For the simple fact that all of the germs an bacteria we’ve accumulated throughout the day to be gone. Imagine every little bad critter you never wanted in your mouth to be there. I know, disgusting, right?
Flossing is as important as brushing
If you think brushing and gargling mouth was is enough, think again. Yes, a lot of toothbrushes have all kinds of fashion that lets bristles in between your teeth, that it cleans the gums as well, and all those types of advertisements. In reality, it really doesn’t get all of the substances stuck between the teeth. In addition, Jonathan Schwartz, DDS says “Flossing is not just for getting those little pieces of Chinese food or broccoli that may be getting stuck in between your teeth.”
“It’s really a way to stimulate the gums, reduce plaque, and help lower inflammation in the area,” he added. Flossing at least once every day can help with the oral development that you seek.
Your teeth needs nutrition as much as your body does
Although it’s not considered as bones, it’s still part of your body – it would still need nutrients in order for it to function properly — and to keep it from falling apart of course. The more important nutrients that our teeth need are: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D. You can get these recommended nutrients by eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and meat everyday.
Use antiseptic mouth wash
Right now, there are a lot of mouthwash products available in the market. In choosing, make sure to select the mouthwash that is labeled as antibacterial or antiseptic. Some of the products don’t really help in terms of eradicating bacteria in your mouth so be wise in choosing what you gargle.
To be sure, double check with you dentist what mouthwash would work best in your oral condition. AS per Schwartz, “Mouthwashes are useful as an adjunct tool to help bring things into balance. I think in children and older people, where the ability to brush and floss may not be ideal, a mouthwash is particularly helpful.”
As always, drink plenty of water
It just doesn’t help you quench your thirst after every meal, it also helps in the overall process of digestion as it can flush down negative traits of substances that you consume. Dentists recommend drinking at least two glasses of water every meal for the best possible effects.
A toothpaste that has fluoride is the best option
Just like mouthwashes, a wide variety of toothpastes are out in the market. Although we’ve discussed the few nutrients that are essential in keeping our teeth clean, fluoride is one of the substances that can relevantly have an impact to our teeth’s overall health. Although fluoride doesn’t come very often with nutrients we can get from food, it’s abundant in toothpaste.
Moreover, using a toothbrush that has soft bristles is more effective than using a toothbrush with hardened bristles because it can damage or break the enamel of a tooth.
FUN FACT: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is essential for our mouths. It strengthens the cavity that envelops the teeth’s protection (enamel).
Do not go straight to brushing after eating
It is advisable to wait for a few minutes to an hour after eating before brushing your teeth. Why? Because this allows your teeth to finish its part of the digestion process. Moreover, waiting for a few minutes will help your teeth finish its demineralization; brushing your teeth while its cover or enamel is demineralized can worsen the armor or protection of the enamel.
Lastly, visiting a dental professional once every four months would help in the process of whatever oral dilemma you’re having. Make it a habit to visit your dentist at least once or twice every 6 months to ensure that your teeth are at its best state.
Have you missed at least one of these things listed here? Do you think your oral hygiene is enough to say that your teeth are healthy? Follow these things here and ensure the best your teeth can get!
