We all know it is important to maintain a good oral hygiene. But how exactly can we keep our teeth clean and healthy?
Dentists from Kaizen Dental present you a few effective tips you could try without spending a fortune:
Go on a white teeth diet
Limit the amount of sodas, alcohol, coffee – they are rich in phosphorus which leads to a depletion of calcium in your body. Calcium is very important for our teeth. Without it the teeth decay can develop faster and gum is exposed to certain diseases.
Avoid food dye
Teeth discoloration also may be due to food that contains high levels of corn syrup and food dye. Fortify your teeth by drinking milk which strengthens the enamel, and water which hydrates the body. Avoid foods that are spicy, acidic or very abrasive.
Replace your toothbrush every three months
Every two or three months you should inspect the bristle of your toothbrush. If they look fray, they are no longer up to the task. They will not clean your teeth thoroughly. If you were sick, consider replacing your toothbrush even sooner.
Clean your tongue
By cleaning your tongue on a daily basis with a scraper you reduce considerably the amount of bacteria that threatens your teeth. It also prevents having halitosis (bad breath) and keeps your teeth healthier. Try to include scraping the tongue as a part of your dental hygiene routine.
Eat cleaning foods
At the end of a meal, eat firm and crisp foods like apple, carrots, celery. It certainly does not have the same effect as brushing your teeth with toothpaste, but it does tide you over until you get the chance to brush.
Gargle with apple cider vinegar
Gargle with apple cider vinegar in the morning and brush your teeth afterward. This operation can remedy bad breath, thrush, plaque and stains, kill bacteria and provides a teeth-whitening benefit. Mix two spoons of apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup of water and gargle.
Brush your teeth with baking soda once a week
A baking soda mouth rinse has beneficial influences on your dental health: it alleviates dry mouth and keeps your mouth clean. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can remove stains caused by tea, coffee, cigarettes. You can make a paste from a half teaspoon of the baking soda with a few drops of water or lemon and let it set for two minutes. Then you can apply it on the teeth and brush for two minutes, as you would normally would.
Stay fresh
Whenever you cannot brush or floss and you need to feel fresh, try to use sugar free mint candy or alcohol free mouthwash like Listerine. Mouthwash can reach areas that a toothbrush cannot.
Floss! Floss! Floss!
Just like brushing, flossing is a key element to a perfect smile. Flossing should be done at least once per day. Though ensure you do floss properly. Use a piece of floss up to 18 inches in length. Try to use a new piece of floss for each tooth, otherwise you would just reinsert bacteria from one tooth to another.
Brush your teeth at least twice per day
Brush your teeth at least twice per day for at least 2 minutes, in the morning and before bedtime. Ensure you are using the proper brushing technique: by placing the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle along the gum line, move the toothbrush back and forth for each one of the teeth.
Brush also the inside and top surface of the teeth
You can use a regular toothbrush with a soft bristle or you can opt for an electric one which provides a superior performance due to the fact they can reach areas where bacteria and plaque collect.
Visit the dentist at least twice a year for checkups and professional cleaning of your teeth. Prevention works better than any treatment.