Some say the eyes are the window to the soul. But if you really want to know what someone’s about, check their smile. A welcoming show of pearly whites makes a great first impression, while a tight-lipped smile or whiff of bad breath does the exact opposite.
Below are 7 tips to keep your teeth strong and healthy –
1. Brush two times a day for two minutes
Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. This will keep your teeth in top form. Brushing your teeth and tongue with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste cleans food and bacteria from your mouth. Brushing also washes out particles that eat away at your teeth and cause cavities.
2. A morning brush fights morning breath
Morning breath
The mouth is 98.6ºF (37ºC). Warm and wet, it’s filled with food particles and bacteria. These lead to deposits called plaque. When it builds up, it calcifies, or hardens, on your teeth to form tartar, also called calculus. Not only does tartar irritate your gums, it can lead to gum disease as well as cause bad breath.
Be sure to brush in the morning to help get rid of the plaque that’s built up overnight.
3. Don’t turbocharge
Don’t Turbocharge
It’s also possible to brush too hard. Brush your teeth like you’re polishing an eggshell. If your toothbrush looks like someone sat on it, you’re applying too much pressure.
Enamel is strong enough to protect teeth from everything that goes on inside your mouth, from eating and drinking to beginning the digestive process. Children and teens have softer enamel than adults, leaving their teeth more prone to cavities and erosion from food and drink.
4. Make sure you floss every day
Flossing
Want to avoid minimal scraping at your next checkup? Flossing loosens the particles that brushing misses. It also removes plaque, and in so doing prevents the buildup of tartar. While it’s easy to brush plaque away, you need a dentist to remove tartar.
5. Avoid harmful foods and drinks
Avoid harmful foods and drinks
Many instances of tooth decay can be largely attributed to a poor diet, which consists of foods high in sugar and other harmful carbohydrates. In order to protect your teeth to the fullest extent, try and avoid too much intake of harmful foods and drinks, such as coffee, sweets and tomato-based products.
For many, giving up coffee or other foods and drinks that may harm enamel is not feasible, in which case, extra dental care can help protect your teeth after consumption.
6. Watch Out for Dry Mouth
Watch out for Dry mouth
Saliva helps wash away food and bacteria that can lead to cavities. It also fights the effects of acidic foods. Drink water often to keep your mouth clean and moist.
If you exercise hard, be sure to rehydrate during and after your workout. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless hard candy can also help keep saliva flowing in your mouth.
Some medical conditions and medications can cause dry mouth. Talk to your doctor about treatments.
7. Avoid Grinding Your Teeth
Avoid teeth grinding
Some people grind their upper and lower teeth together, especially at night. Over time it can wear down the enamel.
Use these 7 tips for your teeth longer life and to avoid having cavities. Sipping on soda, juice, or other sugary drinks can lead to a higher risk of cavities. Drinking water or unsweetened tea throughout the day and only drinking sugar-sweetened drinks at meal times and in small volumes.