The 7 steps below are smart ways to care for your smile. There is no quick fix or workaround when it comes to doing what’s best, so stick with these steps to see results.
1. Brush your Teeth Twice a Day
As science evolves, we are finding that there are many diseases that are directly poor oral health like heart disease, diabetes, premature babies, and osteoporosis. There are many serious issues that can occur if we don’t brush our teeth twice a day.
Bacteria is produced in your mouth in a brief amount of time, and it keeps producing over short periods of time. When you brush your teeth twice a day, you destroy the bacteria in your mouth to make it clean. If left in your mouth for twenty-four hours, bacteria can damage the enamel of your tooth that gradually weakens the gums and roots resulting in the decay of teeth. Moreover, the removal of bacteria also results in the removal of bad breath.
Then there is a thing called Tartar that attaches itself to your teeth and it does not go away. The only way you can get rid of it is having your dentist scrape your teeth. If tartar is left untreated you could develop a gum infection that will result in excessive bleeding from gums. A bad gum infection can damage your health, overall.
2. Use Fluoride Toothpaste
To help strengthen weak spots and exposed roots, and to help prevent the early stages of tooth decay, brush regularly with a fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of enamel and increasing the rate of the remineralization process. The new enamel crystals that form are harder, larger, and more resistant to acid. Plaque on the surface of your teeth can produce acids that seep into the pores of your tooth’s enamel and break down its internal structure. This process, called demineralization, can create a weak spot in the tooth that may become a cavity if left untreated.
3. Floss Daily
Flossing removes plaque between teeth and out from under the gumline where your toothbrush can’t reach. When left alone, plaque and tartar build up under the surface of the gumlines. This can cause periodontal disease, which leads to bone destruction and tooth loss. Daily flossing helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.
To floss properly, wrap the floss tightly around your finger and insert in the space between your teeth. Gently slide it up and down under the gumlines two to three times. If bleeding occurs, this is most likely due to gingivitis or gum disease. When flossing daily, the bleeding associated with mild to moderate gingivitis usually stops after about two weeks.
4. Keep your Tongue Clean
Even if you are an oral hygiene all-star who brushes your teeth twice a day, you may still be missing one step that could help keep your mouth fresh and healthy…cleaning your tongue. Cleaning you tongue is important in keeping bad bacteria, as well as food debris, from causing trouble.
Brushing your tongue gently from back to front a few times with a toothbrush and toothpaste is an easy first step, since you’re already in there brushing your teeth twice a day anyway. But tongue scraping can do a better job at removing plaque and bacteria off the tongue’s surface. Tongue scraping devices made from plastic or stainless steel are available at most drug stores and generally cost under $10.
5. Drink Plenty of Water
Our bodies are made of 60% water, and staying hydrated helps your system distribute healthy nutrients, gets rid of waste, gives your skin a healthy glow and keeps your muscles moving. Sipping water is also one of the best things you can do for your teeth. And drinking water with is one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do to help prevent cavities.
Water cleans your mouth with every sip. It washes away leftover food and residue that cavity-causing bacteria are looking for. It also dilutes the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. You will still need to brush twice a day for two minutes and clean between your teeth thoroughly but drinking water throughout the day will go a long way toward keeping your smile cavity-free.
6. Limit Sugary Drinks
There is compelling evidence to the association between the consumption of sugary drinks and excess weight gain in both children and adults, as well as reduced bone strength, and tooth decay.
Drinking juice, soda, or sports drinks can leave unwanted sugar on your teeth and the bacteria in your mouth thrive on that sugar, producing acid that wears away enamel, causing tooth decay. Reducing the amount of sugar in your diet combined with regular brushing and flossing can help keep the bacteria under control.
7. See your Regular Dentist Twice a Year
Regular dental visits are necessary to preserving your oral health. Having routine cleanings every six months helps to promote good oral health and a beautiful smile. Your dentist is trained to recognize early signs of tooth decay and gum disease before they cause severe damage to your teeth and mouth. Regular checkups are the key to maintaining a healthy smile. When your cleanings are irregular, you can develop periodontal disease. This can cause unsightly swollen, receding, and bleeding gums.
In addition to removing stain and tartar from your teeth, your dental hygienist will also screen for health conditions like high blood pressure and oral cancer. Because many health conditions manifest themselves in the mouth, your dentist and hygienist can make you aware of issues that you should follow up on with your doctor.