Keeping your teeth in great shape doesn’t come down to just going in for a teeth whitening once in a while, although that can help. There are a lot of factors that contribute to how healthy your smile is, and how long you get to keep it for. Implementing the following tips will strengthen the brightness of your smile, and make it far more likely that it will stay with you through the ages.
Forming a great cleaning routine is the first line of defence against plaque build-up, gum disease and periodontal disease. If you have children, always make sure to start them young on a good routine so that it builds into a habit. That way, they don’t even have to think about it.
But what exactly does a good routine consist of?
Brush
Brushing your teeth twice a day is recommended by practically every dentist on the planet. The best times to brush are at night just before you go to sleep, and at least one other time during the day, such as straight after breakfast. We recommend using a fluoride toothpaste, which strengthens weakened enamel.
Brushing removes the thin layer of bacteria that builds up on your teeth, thus keeping your teeth from enduring plaque build-up. When plaque isn’t cleaned off regularly it builds into a hard substance called tartar, which is very hard to remove without the help of your local dental hygienist. It also removes any bacteria that could potentially cause gum disease. Many people underestimate how dangerous this bacterium can be; if they cause gingivitis, there is distinct chance of bacteria entering the bloodstream, causing clots, and resulting in heart failure or stroke.
Floss
Brushing works well to remove the film of bacteria from your mouth, but flossing is another essential part of your routine. Flossing rids the gaps between your teeth of any leftover pieces of food, which can rot, and cause a lot of problems for you in the long run.
Tongue
When establishing your routine, make sure to never overlook cleaning your tongue! Just like every other part of your mouth you need to keep it clean in order to avoid bacteria that causes bad breath and cavities. You can do this very easily by just brushing your tongue along with everything else, but some people prefer to use a tongue scraper or floss.
Mouthwash
After you’ve brushed thoroughly, using a cleansing mouthwash to rinse with will ensure that all of the harmful bacteria and plaque has been killed off, even in the places you may have missed with your brush.
There are certain foods and drinks that will have a profound effect on the health of your teeth and gums, so it’s important to understand what those substances are and how you can combat their effects.
Sugar
This is a pretty well-known culprit of cavities and gum disease already, but it’s not often well understood exactly why that is. Sugar feeds the harmful oral bacteria that eat away at enamel, so eating sugar promotes more cavities. This is why we recommend that everyone reduce their sugar intake, and never leave teeth unbrushed for a long time after consuming sugar.
Coffee
This one is less commonly known, but coffee can turn your smile from white to yellow because of how easily it stains enamel. Enamel is porous, so a strong liquid like coffee absorbs into it very easily when consumed. In addition to ruining the brightness of your smile, coffee is also acidic, which means that it can also wear away at tooth enamel and weaken your teeth. As with sugar, we recommend reducing your intake of coffee and brushing or rinsing after your daily cup of joe.
Vegetables and Fruits
Consuming highly fibrous vegetables and fruits will help to restore your tooth enamel to full strength, and provide you with the highly nutritious minerals you need to avoid diseases like scurvy. Scurvy comes from a lack of vitamin C, and while signs of it show in your teeth and gums, it is actually a disease that can affect your entire body quite harmfully. Make sure to get your five a day to give your teeth a fighting chance against any harmful oral bacteria.
Calcium
Certain phosphates combine during tooth formation, but acidic materials like the ones in sodas, sugars, and coffee will degrade the existing calcium. Regenerating it is very important to maintain a healthy smile! So, make sure to eat calcium-rich foods like salmon, broccoli, and spinach. You can also find calcium-fortified cereals at your local supermarket.
Finally, go and see your dental hygienist regularly! For people with more sensitive teeth, or other dental problems, going regularly might mean every month, but for most people, twice a year is a good number of times.
Seeing a dentist near you regularly means you can get a deep clean to brighten your smile, and you can head off any problems before they become an issue that will affect your dental health for years to come.
Your smile is our top priority! Contact us now for an appointment, and start on the path to your best smile.
