Having good teeth is important, not just for looks, but also for your health. This is the reason that information is key. The article that follows will teach you what you need to know in order to have healthy teeth.
Keep your toothbrush as clean as possible. Always rinse out your toothbrush after each use; you can let it air dry, too. A toothbrush holder helps avoid touching anything dirty. You should never allow your toothbrush to remain in a closed-in container, as an enclosed space will promote bacterial growth. Get a new toothbrush if yours looks dirty.
Avoid brushing your teeth with an extremely hard-bristled brush. Hard bristles expose the root surfaces, which may eventually cause your gums to recede or become infected. Over time, the bristles may erode your teeth. These conditions can increase tooth sensitivity. The ideal toothbrush has soft or medium bristles.
In order to keep your teeth in good shape, you need to brush twice a day rather than just once. When you wake up, you have to brush to clean away the bacteria in your mouth from overnight. In the evening, brush your teeth again to remove all food particles.
Make sure that you brush well. A good brushing is required when you wake up, and right before going to bed. Bacteria dies as you sleep when your saliva dries. Brush your teeth at an angle, and brush for a minimum of two minutes.
It is important to regularly floss and brush your teeth. It is difficult, however to get rid of every little bit of bacteria lurking in your mouth by just by brushing or flossing. You should therefore use an anti-bacterial mouthwash each time you brush your teeth in order to ensure that your mouth truly is clean.
Some vitamin deficiencies can cause gum issues and tooth decay. Proper nutrition is one rung in the ladder of good dental health. Vitamin B and calcium are especially important for your teeth. You can find them in natural sources like low-fat dairy and fruits.
Control your intake of sugar for better oral health. You increase your risk of cavities by eating more sugar. Fruit juices and soda are chalk full of sugar and can really damage your teeth, so you're better off drinking water. If you want to keep your teeth healthy, save foods high in sugar for special occasions.
In order to have pretty teeth and a healthy mouth, a healthy diet is a necessity. You must cut down the amount of sodas and sugary foods that you consume. These factors are a big cause of dental issues. Drink less coffee in order to whiten your teeth. Coffee tends to cause teeth stains.
If you want a lifetime of healthy teeth, do not smoke cigarettes. Smoking discolors teeth, and causes a huge buildup of tartar and plaque on teeth. Cigarettes also cause you to have a higher risk for gum disease and cancer of the mouth. Quit smoking to help ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy.
Do not avoid the dentist because of a lack of funds. Many dentists will arrange a payment plan with you. A lot of dentist's offices offer payment plans or will help you find a financial institution so you can apply for a loan. This is a good way to break the cost down into affordable chunks.
You should act on your dentist's recommendations for tooth extraction and/or antibiotics right away. Infections in the mouth can spread quickly to other parts of the body. If you have an infection, be sure to do what your dentist says to get rid of it, including taking a full course of antibiotics.
Playing Sports
Use a mouth guard when playing sports. If standard models are uncomfortable, ask your dentist for a custom fit guard. Getting hit in the mouth while playing sports can damage your teeth quite a bit. You will save a lot of money by investing in a good mouth guard.
Calcium is a necessary component of healthy teeth. Low-fat dairy products can provide that necessary calcium. If you can't have or don't like dairy, take a calcium supplement instead.
If you're concerned about your teeth, avoid soda. Sodas are nothing but wasted calories, chemicals and super-powered sugar. Soda is filled with a full cup of sugar. You can keep your teeth stronger and healthier by staying away from these drinks.
Make an appointment with your dentist right away if you notice bleeding or swollen gums. From sensitive gums to heart disease, the problems could fall on a wide spectrum. The dentist can examine your teeth and try to pinpoint the cause of the problems you are having.
People have heard stories about the benefits of using lemon and vinegar to help with teeth whitening. This isn't true because these things contain acids that are going to be working on your teeth in a negative way. That is one way to really damage tooth enamel and might make your teeth likely to get cavities and to stain.
As you can see by now, good teeth are just as essential to your health as they are to your appearance. The more you understand about hygiene and dental care, the more attractive and healthy your teeth and gums will be. Apply what you've learned here, and you'll keep that great-looking smile.