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12 tips for healthy white teeth
Have you wondered if you’re taking good care of your teeth? Well, we’ve collected a few tips to make sure your teeth get or stay as white and healthy as possible. Have a look!
1. Use proper brushing technique
A quick wash of your bristles isn’t enough to banish leftover food particles and polish your teeth. Instead, use a technique echoed by the American Dental Association (ADA): place the bristles of the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle near the gum line, such that the bristles are in contact with both the teeth and the gum. Brush using a back and forth, up and down movement. When you are done repeat the same procedure for the inner surfaces of your teeth and gum.
Then brush the surfaces of your tongue and roof of your mouth. This will help to get rid of bacteria that cause bad breath. Remember to brush your teeth and gum lightly; do not attack them with the bristles, as this will do more harm than good.
2. Brush enough
Many people brush regularly, but simply don’t brush enough for their teeth to stay clean. The ADA recommends brushing for at least two minutes, twice daily. Having trouble gauging your routine for this duration? Try listening to short song, cue up a two-minute YouTube video or set a timer on your phone to give yourself the time you need to thoroughly clean your teeth.
3. Donโt go to bed without brushing your teeth
As we said, the general recommendation is to brush at least twice a day. Still, many of us continue to neglect brushing our teeth at night. But brushing before bed gets rid of the germs and plaque that accumulate throughout the day.
4. Floss regularly
As wonderful as brushing regularly is, it is not holistic in its responsibility to clean your teeth. Brushing can clean the surface of the teeth, but it cannot do the same for the spaces in between teeth.
This is where flossing comes in. It helps to get rid of food residue and other detrimental substances stuck between the teeth. If you really care about your dental hygiene (and you should), get into the habit of flossing at least once a day.
You can also use devices such as Philips’ AirFloss as an easier way out. It’s basically a device that you put between your teeth and it lets a small burst of air and water through the gaps of your teeth, cleaning them. Not bad, huh?
5. Donโt neglect your tongue
Plaque can also build up on your tongue. Not only can this lead to bad mouth odor, but it can lead to other oral health problems. Gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.
6. Stop snacking
Hungry for a midnight snack? Brushing well may clear your teeth of bacteria and food particles, but if you eat a snack afterward, you’ll need to brush again before bed. Having a snack before sleep (without brushing) can allow food particles and sugar to remain on your teeth for too long, providing fuel for bacteria that feeds on it.
Oral hygiene should be part of any system of body health. By following these dental hygiene tips, you can choose the best products, improve your technique and ensure you’re doing everything in your power to keep your mouth cavity-free.
7. Use a fluoride toothpaste
When it comes to toothpaste, there are more important elements to look for than whitening power and flavours. No matter which version you choose, make sure it contains fluoride.
While fluoride has come under scrutiny by those worried about how it impacts other areas of health, this substance remains a mainstay in oral health. This is because fluoride is a leading defence against tooth decay. It works by fighting germs that can lead to decay, as well as providing a protective barrier for your teeth.
Did you know that there are so many cool options now for toothpaste? For example, Marvis has a Liquourice one (which you can get in this month’s Gay Packs but hurry up, we’re running out of them)!
8. Clean Your Brush
You don’t need special equipment or covers to keep the brush itself clean. In fact, the ADA warns that covering your toothbrush can actually breed new bacteria and introduce it into your mouth. Instead, just rinse your brush after each use and allow it to air dry. You should also avoid sharing brushes with others, even your kids.
9. Change Your Brush
Bristles deteriorate with time and usage, so if you’re using the same toothbrush beyond a few months, you may not be getting the best clean anymore. Rather, make a point of getting a new brush every three to four months โ or at your semiannual dental checkup.
This reminds us that in this month’s Out’n’Proud Pack you can get the fantastic TIO resource saving toothbrush made from plant based bio polymers! If you hurry up you might still fit on board!
10. Limit intake of sodas and alcohol
Tobacco for one, is something you should run away from. Avoiding this can save you from some periodontal complications such as oral cancer. Furthermore, stuff that you will take to mask the smell of tobacco such as sweets, tea or coffee will just end of doubling the damage to your teeth already caused by the tobacco.
You should also limit your intake of soda and alcohol. These contain phosphorus, which is an important mineral for a healthy. But too much of everything is bad and this applies to phosphorus too. Too much of it can deplete the calcium level of the body, causing dental hygiene problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Go instead with beverages that will help to build enamel strength and water, which hydrates your body better than any sugary drink ever will.
Here is a helpful tip: if you must take sodas or alcohol, do so with a straw to avoid the drink having direct contact with your teeth.
11. Consider mouthwash
Advertisements make mouthwash seem necessary for good oral health, but many people skip them because they donโt know how they work. Schwartz says mouthwash helps in three ways: It reduces the amount of acid in the mouth, cleans hard-to-brush areas in and around the gums, and re-mineralises the teeth.
By the way, we got the premium Marvis Mouthwash in this month’s Gay Packs – get on board now!
12. See your dentist at least twice a year
Applying everything stated in the previous points is not an excuse not to go for regular dental checkup. All you can do is your best and then leave the rest to the dental care experts.
As permissible as your schedule is, make it a habit to visit a dental care clinic regularly for full oral checkup and teeth cleaning. There are dental problems that you may not be able to identify on your own. Adhering to this can save you a whole world of hurt in the long run.