Maintaining good oral hygiene and having healthy teeth is bliss. Teeth help us in chewing. It helps us enhance our esthetics and gives us confidence when we meet people. According to some articles, your smile is the first thing people notice about you when you meet someone.
So why not have a beautiful one?
Here is a list of 11 things you can do in your day-to-day life to keep your teeth healthy and strong:
1. Brush Twice Daily
Brushing twice daily is the first and most important step in keeping your teeth healthy. It removes the deposited plaque over the surface of the teeth and keeps them clean. Remember to brush around all the surfaces, including the inner sides (lingual) i.e. next to the tongue. Here is where maximum deposits are present.
2. Floss Once Daily
Brushing alone does not clean all the surfaces of your teeth. The brush can not reach the tooth surface that lies between the two teeth. So, floss is the best thing to clean these surfaces. A floss is a thread you can insert between your teeth and clean the surface. Use a saw motion to reach in between the teeth and then move the floss up and down to clean the surface.
If you find it difficult to use a floss thread, you can also use a water flosser. It is more convenient and easy to use. The tip of the water flosser is placed in between the two teeth at the gingival level and the button is pressed. The water comes out of the tip with pressure and cleans the surface. Water flossers have a reservoir for water and also have adjustable speeds. You can set the speed according to your convenience.
3. Remember to Clean Your Tounge
Our tongue can harbor a lot of bacteria which can cause many diseases. The foul smell that you sometimes get can be because you forgot to clean your tongue. You can clean your tongue using your brush itself or you can use a tongue cleaner or a scraper to clean it.
4. Use a Fluoridated Toothpaste
It is a myth that fluoridated toothpaste is not good for teeth and overall health. Fluoridated toothpaste when used in the right amount can be beneficial as it makes a layer over the surface of your tooth and prevents cavities. Use a pea-sized fluoridated toothpaste and brush your teeth twice a day. Children should also use a Kids age-appropriate fluoridated toothpaste and brush twice daily. For kids under 3 years of age, a grain size of toothpaste is enough, and for kids above the age of 3 years use a pea size of toothpaste. Do not give a child an adult toothpaste.
Related: GC Tooth Mousse a Simplified Guide to its Benefits and Uses
5. Rinse Your Mouth After Every Meal
Rinsing your mouth after every meal is a good habit to make. It helps in removing the food that is deposited on the surface of your teeth and keeps them clean, as you can not brush after every meal. Food when left over the surface of the tooth attracts bacteria and causes cavities. Not just that it can also lead to periodontal problems and bad breath.
6. Eat Raw Vegetables and Fruits
Eating raw vegetables and fruits is very healthy for your teeth. It helps in keeping the plaque away and also prevents foul breath. So, make it a habit to eat raw vegetables in salads every day. Also, introduce fruits and vegetables to children at a very young age.
7. Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking plenty of water doesn’t only keep the body healthy but also keeps your teeth healthy. It washes off the food and bacteria stuck on the surface of your teeth and helps you stay cavity-free. Water is considered as the best beverage.
8. Avoid Junk and Sticky Food
Junk and sticky food is the main reason for cavities these days. Kids eat several chocolates and biscuits every day. These get stuck on the surface of the tooth and attract bacteria. This bacteria releases acid, and the acid causes demineralization of the tooth, i.e. a cavity in the tooth. Make sure you do not introduce junk and sticky food to your child. Lollipops and chocolates like Barone and 5star, chips and biscuits, cause the maximum cavities as they stick to the surface of the tooth.
9. Avoid Aerated Drinks
Aerated drinks are nothing but sugar, and sugars are the main culprit for decay. They also contain acid which erodes the surface of your tooth, and if you are drinking every day, your teeth will soon get cavities. Next time when you drink anything aerated, run your tongue on the surface of your tooth and see if you can feel something rough and different. To avoid it, take aerated drinks occasionally or don’t drink at all.
10. Avoid Smoking and Chewing Tobacco
Smoking and chewing tobacco is the worst thing that you can do to your body. Smoking can cause oral as well as lung cancers. Tobacco can also lead to cancers. so, why put something in your body that is not good for it at all?
Smoking can also cause staining as well as a foul smell in your mouth.
11. Visit Your Dentist Once Every 6 Months for a Routine Dental Check-Up
Visiting your dentist once every 6 months just for a routine dental examination is a must. It helps in identifying problems early and getting less invasive treatment. So remember to visit once every 6 months for good oral and dental health.
What are some of the practices to have healthy teeth?
1. Brush twice daily
2. Floss once daily
3. Eat healthy, avoid junk food
4. Rinse after every meal
5. Drink plenty of water
6. Visit your dentist once every 6 months
How can I strengthen my teeth?
Brushing and flossing are the two best ways to prevent cavities. Eat raw vegetables and visit your dentist once every 6 months for early detection of any problems.
What foods are good for your teeth?
Eating a healthy diet is a must for healthy teeth. Avoid junk food and aerated drinks. Eat raw vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, radishes and fruits every day. It helps to keep the teeth strong and healthy.
What can I do to improve the health of my teeth and gums?
Brushing twice daily and flossing once daily is the key to healthy teeth and gums. Visiting your dentist once every 6 months for early detection of problems is another thing you should do. Rinsing with warm water helps keep gums healthy.
How do I get white teeth?
The natural colour of the teeth is slightly yellow and not white. If you want to get whiter teeth, the stains and the calculus (tartar) can be removed, with scaling i.e. cleaning but it won’t change the colour. Bleaching teeth is the way to whiten the teeth to a few shades lighter.
How can I make my teeth strong naturally?
Brushing your teeth twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste can help keep your teeth strong and free of cavities. Flossing once every day is a must. Eat a lot of raw vegetables to keep your teeth strong.
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Very useful tips