Who isn't on the quest to acquire the perfect set of teeth?
It was Hippocrates and Aristotle who wrote about repairing decaying teeth and fractured jaws centuries ago, and today, cosmetic bonding and cosmetic dentistry are all the rage. Many of us looking for the perfect smile will waste no time in thronging their dentist's office with such requests.
Having a great set of pearly whites can boost your self-confidence like few other things can. However, keeping your teeth in great shape will require you to put in a little time and effort on an everyday basis.
The daily brushing-and-flossing routine is a must for maintaining dental hygiene. Additionally, making sure that you stick to the following oral-hygiene tips and tricks will help you protect and care for your teeth better.
1. Keep Stains Away
Can't keep away from your cup of black coffee, but want to avoid those ghastly stains on your teeth? The good news is that you can lighten and remove most teeth stains.
With technological advancements, several teeth-whitening procedures have been developed that can treat tooth discoloration effectively. While most are performed at the dentist's, taking a few precautionary measures yourself can help you avoid these stains all together.
Sip your dark-colored soda, red wine, and coffee with a straw in small quantities, instead of drinking them from a glass/mug as doing so can ensure that your teeth never stain.
2. Keep Your Teeth Naturally Clean and Strong
Woke up late and rushing to work? Seems like flossing isn't going to be possible today? No worries! Munch on fibrous fruits and veggies like apples and lettuce for breakfast. Fiber prevents the buildup of tartar and plaque on your teeth, thus making them appear cleaner.
Fibrous foods also serve as exfoliating agents and prevent stain molecules from attaching themselves to teeth. Also, because these crunchy foods require a lot of chewing, they keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.
3. Subscribe to Natural Breath Fresheners
While Tic Tac, Altoids, and Ice Breakers may be your run-to mints before an emergency meeting or an upcoming date, do not underestimate the benefits of natural bacteria busters like parsley, cilantro, mint leaves, and cucumber that contain odor-fighting phytochemicals. Chew on them to experience an instant burst of freshness in your mouth as well as get minty-fresh breath.
4. Opt for a Teetotal Mouth Wash
Using a high-quality mouthwash can go a long way in keeping your teeth and gums in great condition. However, you need to pick one with care. Research has linked using mouthwashes containing alcohol to a higher likelihood of developing mouth cancer. This is because alcohol makes it easier for cancer-causing agents to permeate the mouth's lining. Some mouth washes contain alcohol concentrate of up to 27%.
Further, it is best to avoid mouthwashes that come in tones of dark red, green, and blue as these can damage and stain your teeth, rather than keep bacteria at bay.
5. Avoid Foods That Lead to Bacteria Accumulation
Did you know that foods like ketchup, soy sauce, candies and sodas can damage the enamel coating of your teeth and eventually change their color? Minimize their consumption to keep your teeth looking good.
Additionally, make it a point to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after consuming citric fruit juices to protect the tooth enamel.
Caramel sweets and sweet soda contain huge amounts of sugar, which is instrumental in creating optimum conditions for bacterial growth in gums and teeth. Avoid these. If you have an unavoidable sugar craving, opt for dark chocolate as it has a high concentration of cacao beans. The higher the concentration of cacao beans in chocolate, the better it is for your teeth.
6. Opt for Cheese and Spices
Peppers, chillies and all things spicy could be good for your teeth. Spices stimulate glands that produce saliva, which contains chemicals that naturally fight bacteria in the mouth. Plus, saliva helps clear out food particles stuck between teeth, which automatically keeps the mouth clean and prevents buildup.
Cheese has magical properties that help maintain oral health. Eating it creates a protective layer around teeth, which prevents dental erosion.
Cheese is alkaline in nature and it transfers these properties to the mouth too. This can be highly beneficial to the well-being of the teeth. This is because eating cheese increases the pH levels in the mouth, thereby balancing the acids. A recent study states that cheese reduces cavity formation in teeth as it neutralizes the plaque acid that attacks teeth enamel and causes cavities.
7. Brush Your Teeth the Right Way
The secret to good teeth lies not only in brushing them regularly, but in brushing them the right way. Brushing correctly keep your teeth sparkling white, and mouth squeaky clean. Invest in herbal toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush and cleanse those pesky tooth troubles away.
A Popular Westchester dentist explains exactly how brushing should be done. "Brushing too hard can scrub the enamel off the teeth. Hence to maintain teeth health, brush your teeth softly and use gentle circular strokes on the upper and lower teeth. Also remember to brush upper to lower rather than left to right. Reach between your teeth and brush your tongue for a good fifteen minutes too. Rinse your mouth with water."
You will do well to floss and brush your teeth at least twice a day for a clean and healthy mouth.
To Conclude
While concepts such as aesthetic dentistry and dental implants are great technological breakthroughs in the field of dentistry, most dentists recommend taking good care of teeth and mouth the old-fashioned way, i.e. like a regular chore than an occasional occurrence. So, brush regularly, take care of your teeth and pay a visit to your dentist every six months. Being proactive and going for regular dental check-ups rather than waiting for something to go wrong with your teeth and mouth will give you a set of pearly whites to be proud of.
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