adminIf you would like to keep your smile beautiful and healthy, protect your teeth from decay. While flossing and brushing are necessary to protect your teeth, a well-balanced diet can also have an amazing impact on your oral health. It is essential to maintain healthy teeth because they contribute to your overall hygiene and appearance.
When to Brush
While most Americans brush their teeth in the morning and before bed, it is strongly recommended that you brush your teeth after every big meal. In addition to brushing, flossing between meals also limits the formation of plaque by helping eliminate the food particles stuck in between the cervices of your teeth. Plaque is the bacteria that coat your teeth and cause cavities and gum disease. Frequent brushing and flossing prevent the particles from hardening on your teeth and allow them to be removed with greater ease. Use toothpaste which contain fluoride and monitor how long you spend brushing. A good brushing session should last at least 3 to 4 minutes, about the average length of a song.
What You Eat
Take your vitamins every day. Vitamin A strengthens your bones and teeth. Be sure to incorporate lots of fresh fruits and vegetables into your daily food intake. Eat plenty of calcium-rich foods, such as yogurt and cheese. Other great sources of vitamin C are dark green vegetables, almonds and sardines. Celery sticks, carrots and other crunching, fibrous vegetables stimulate your gums. Your teeth and gums also need minerals, such as magnesium, which can be found in whole grains and bananas, and phosphorus, which can be found in meat, eggs and fish. To promote the flow of your salvia, decrease acid and flush out tiny particles of food in your mouth, chew on sugarless gum.
What to Stop
Avoid eating too many dried fruits as they are high in sugar and tend to cling to your teeth. Also, do not eat excessive candy, unsweetened juices or sweets. Drinking alcohol on a regular basis, chewing tobacco and smoking cigarettes can only cause damage to your teeth and gums. Going to sleep without brushing your teeth may seem harmless, but it can be very detrimental to your health. Leaving your mouth dry for several hours contributes to tooth decay, so skipping brushing is not recommended.
When to Visit the Dentist
Visiting the dentist every six months is crucial to your oral health. During your visit, your dentist will look for cavities, give you fluoride treatments, get rid of any plaque and check the status of your oral health by examining your teeth and gums. Avoiding dentist visits may result in serious consequences, such as untreated cavities, disease and poor hygiene.
Maintain your oral health by taking care of your teeth through keeping up with your daily brushing and flossing regime. Since eating healthy foods not only contributes to your physical health but your oral health as well, it is important to monitor what foods you choose to eat on a regular basis. The small choices that you make every day affect how strong, healthy and beautiful your teeth and gums will be throughout the years.