Take care of your teeth

06 August 2014

Take care of your teeth

Having healthy teeth isn’t a matter of pure genetics. It’s highly dependent on the care you provide to your own set of pearly whites. Take care of your own teeth, because no one else will do it for you. Here are simple things you can do to maintain healthy and strong teeth.

1. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice daily. Fluoride is a natural-occurring mineral found in water and the Earth’s crust. It is an essential part of dental hygiene because it hardens the tooth enamel and removes plaque. Plaque is made up of masses of harmful germs that form a sticky film on your teeth. If you don’t practice proper oral and dental hygiene, it could lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
2. Practice a healthier lifestyle. Your teeth are a reflection of your body’s overall health. Proper nutrition is essential for healthier teeth and gums, and you can achieve this by having a well-balanced diet. This includes limiting your intake of starchy and sugary food, especially sweet, sticky snacks. If you tend to snack a lot in between meals, the more likely it is for food residue to get stuck in between your teeth and turn into plaque. Over time, acids in plaque to destroy your tooth enamel. Instead of indulging in sugary sweet snacks all the time, limit your indulgence in them, or better yet, try healthier options like raw vegetables, plain yogurt, apples and other citrus fruits. Apples in particular, have natural abrasive properties that clean your teeth naturally. When you have a healthy diet, your gums and teeth receive the proper amounts of minerals and nutrients needed to stay strong and fight infections.

Having a healthier lifestyle also means doing away with unhealthy habits like drinking alcohol and smoking, which can also stain teeth. Aside from these two, avoid having too much of other substances that stain teeth life black teas, coffee, red wine, tongue-colouring candy, sodas and carbonated drinks, and dark-coloured sauces like soy sauce and curry.

3. Establish a consistent oral and dental health routine. Aside from brushing your teeth twice daily, follow it up with flossing. And at least once a day, rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash. Flossing removes food residue stuck in between teeth that hasn’t been removed by regular brushing, while an antiseptic mouthwash kills and washes away bacteria left inside your mouth. Make these measures a part of your everyday routine.
4. Visit your dentist regularly for dental check-ups. If you want to maintain strong and healthy teeth, you should make it a priority to schedule regular dental check-ups and professional teeth cleaning. The frequency and urgency of dental check-ups vary from person to person, but the most recommended is twice a year, or once every six months. This is generally applicable for those who already have healthy teeth that have not undergone any treatment like fillings and veneers, and have had no history of dental problems and gum disease. Your dentist will tell you when your next visit will be and how frequent you should visit for check-ups and cleaning. Also, detecting problems with your teeth and gums would be easier if you go for regular check-ups. Do not delay check-ups so that existing problems won’t be too hard or impossible to repair.