You might not realize it, but your teeth play a huge role in the health of your body. They’re responsible for helping you chew and speak, as well as keeping you from getting sick from germs in food or on hands. However, if your teeth aren’t healthy enough to withstand daily wear and tear—and especially if they become infected—there’s no telling what damage could be done. Fortunately there are lots of ways you can keep your smile strong!
Brush your teeth twice a day.
Brushing your teeth twice a day is the most important thing you can do to maintain good oral health. You should brush at least twice per day, for at least two minutes each time.
The first step is brushing your tongue and the roof of your mouth (that’s the upper part of your mouth). This will remove plaque that has built up there over time, which can lead to cavities or gum disease if left unattended.
After brushing, use an interdental brush on all areas between teeth where food particles have collected.
Use fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride toothpaste is a great way to get the benefits of fluoride. Fluoride toothpaste helps prevent cavities, which are caused by bacteria in plaque that causes tartar buildup on your teeth. The American Dental Association recommends that children use fluoridated toothpaste as young as 6 years old, and most adults should start using it at age 12 or 13.
Fluoride is also important for good oral health because it helps strengthen enamel (the outer protective layer of your teeth) and reduces the formation of cavity-causing bacteria on those surfaces. Toothpastes with active ingredients like sodium monofluorophosphate (also known as SLS) may contain other chemicals such as triclosan, which has been linked to skin irritation; soaps with sulfates can irritate skin too.
Drink water, not soda.
You know the drill: drink water instead of soda. Soda is full of sugar, which can cause cavities and tooth erosion. It also causes you to lose calcium from your bones, which can lead to osteoporosis later on in life.
Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco.
- Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco. Smoking is bad for your teeth, especially if you smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day. Chewing tobacco can also cause gum disease, which will lead to tooth loss.
- Eat a healthy diet. Choose foods that are high in calcium and vitamin C to help keep your enamel strong and healthy (and avoid red meat).
Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Fruit and vegetable juices are also good for your teeth, but don’t overdo it–drinking too much juice can stain your teeth.
- Avoid eating too many sweets, which can cause tooth decay.
- Limit foods that stain your teeth, like raw onions or coffee grounds (these contain tannins), red wine (which darkens enamel) and chocolate (which contains acids).
Avoid sugary drinks, candy and chewing gum.
Sugary drinks, candy and chewing gum are all big no-nos for your teeth. Sugary drinks include soda, energy drinks and sweetened teas. Candy is another culprit that can lead to tooth decay.
Have regular visits to the dentist.
You should visit the dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup. If you have any problems with your teeth, such as cavities or gum disease, make sure that they are taken care of before they become more serious.
If you don’t go to the dentist often enough, it can be easy to forget about appointments until it’s too late! Make sure that you schedule regular visits so that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises at home or work when it comes time for your appointment.
Visit a medical professional regularly to check for signs of decay and gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums that can lead to tooth loss.
Visit a medical professional regularly to check for signs of decay and gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums that can lead to tooth loss.
The dentist can identify problems before they get worse. The dentist might also recommend ways to improve your oral health, including diet, exercise and other suggestions that help you maintain a healthy mouth.
Keep teeth clean by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily or nightly.
Brushing your teeth twice a day is the best way to keep them healthy, but it’s important to make sure you’re doing it right. Start by learning how to brush properly.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with medium-soft bristles. The ideal number of strokes per second for brushing should be about 30-40 strokes per minute (spm). If you have sensitive gums, use a softer brush head than if you don’t have sensitive gums; otherwise, stick with medium or hard bristles if possible.
- Brush in small circular motions at an angle from front to back rather than up and down because this helps move plaque from one side of your mouth onto another instead of just getting rid of it all at once in one area without giving bacteria time between parts where new plaque can grow back quickly afterward!
There are lots of ways to keep your teeth healthy!
If you want to keep your teeth healthy, there are lots of ways to do so.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Drink plenty of water every day (and gargle with salt water)–this will help wash away any plaque that builds up on the surface of your teeth and prevent cavities from forming.
- Avoid smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco or other harmful substances like methamphetamines that can cause bad breath in addition to damaging teeth over time.
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings so he/she can see if there are any problems with your gums or other parts of your mouth that need attention as well as check whether all parts of these areas are healthy enough for me then fix them if necessary with dental implants when needed too!
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many ways you can keep your teeth healthy. By taking care of your gums, you’ll be doing more than just keeping your smile bright; you’ll also be taking care of yourself!
