Even though enamel is the toughest part of the human body, it’s not invincible. It also doesn’t have any living cells, so we cannot reproduce it. With this in mind, it is important to take care of them, in order to avoid seeing dentists regularly. Here are a few tips on how to keep your teeth healthy.
No excuses, keep brushing
The rule of thumb is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Oversleeping or being too tired before going to bed is no excuses. Brushing our teeth is essential to maintain them. While brushing, we remove the plaque and restore our mouths’ pH-value. This may be basic knowledge, but the key here is the proper technique. While keeping a 45 degree angle with the toothbrush, we should aim for using small circular movements to clean every surface. It is also a good idea to use a pattern (upper left, lower left, upper right, lower right) in order to make sure we don’t miss anything. We should also focus on the gum, especially on the part where the teeth and gum meet. By keeping this area clean, we can avoid having plaque deposits there. Also, don’t forget about the tongue, as it can house a lot of bacteria. If our teeth are prone to have cavities, we should consider using toothpaste with high fluoride levels.
Do NOT touch
Steaks, asparagus, popcorn – all of them are very delicious, and have a tendency to get stuck between our teeth. Many people would use a toothpick to get rid of those pieces, but be aware. Using a toothpick is like using a chisel on your teeth. It could damage the enamel or the gum badly. Try dental floss instead. Not only is it a lot safer, but it also gets the job done perfectly. Keep using it to avoid cavities.
The essential water
If you want to lose weight, have a glass of water before every meal. It keeps your appetite at bay. If you want to maintain a good oral hygiene, drink some water after every meal. This helps with your digestion, gets rid of the bacteria, and restores the pH-value as well.
The nemesis of our teeth
Yeah, you guessed that right. Its sugar. Soda, sweets, anything with added sugar in it. Watch out for juices as well, as they not only have sugar in them, but also high acidity. Consuming these on a daily basis can ruin the enamel. This does not mean we have to get rid of these treats in general, but try not to end your meal with them. Instead, try having foods rich in fibber (vegetables) or fat (cheese). These increase saliva regeneration, which forms a protective layer around our teeth. Also keep in mind not to brush your teeth immediately after consuming fruits, juices, or wine. Due to their high acidity they loosen the structure of our enamel, and brushing only makes this worse. Wait at least half an hour, or eat something oily (nuts or cheese) to clean your teeth.
Bad habits = Bad teeth
Smoking damages not only our lungs, but also our teeth and other parts of the mouth. Stop smoking if you wish to have a confident smile for many years to come. Not to mention the increased chances of having mouth cancer. Another bad habit that can damage our teeth is biting our nails. This can deform our teeth, and even break them. This would lead to us covering not only our hands, but also our teeth. Be strong, quit today.
