Regular oral care is an important aspect of overall well-being. From greater self-confidence to a soaring career, healthy teeth can truly transform the positivity of your mindset and also create that perfect impression.
Here are some handy tips on keeping your teeth healthy and pearly white.
* Target the right area: Toothbrushing is an important part of daily dental care routine. Keeping the area where your teeth meet your gums clean can prevent gum disease, while keeping your tooth surfaces clean can help keep cavities at bay. Also, changing your toothbrush every three to four months is highly recommended.
* Choose the right toothpaste: When it comes to choosing the right toothpaste for you, it’s important to think about your unique oral health needs. For example, if you have sensitive teeth, using a specialised desensitising toothpaste, instead of basic toothpaste, will help provide greater relief and is safe to use as well.
* Don’t forget to floss: Flossing is as important as tooth brushing. Cleaning between your teeth may help prevent cavities and remove plaque. Flossing cleans the areas which are difficult for a toothbrush to reach. It removes the food debris and plaque accumulated between the teeth.
* Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar: It causes tooth decay. At every age, a healthy diet is essential for keeping the teeth in a healthy state. However, sugary foods have been known as real culprits of tooth decay. When bacteria in the mouth break down simple sugars, they produce high acids that can erode tooth enamel, opening the door to decay. Hence, it is advisable to cut down on foods and drinks that are high in acid such as sodas.
{{/usCountry}}* Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar: It causes tooth decay. At every age, a healthy diet is essential for keeping the teeth in a healthy state. However, sugary foods have been known as real culprits of tooth decay. When bacteria in the mouth break down simple sugars, they produce high acids that can erode tooth enamel, opening the door to decay. Hence, it is advisable to cut down on foods and drinks that are high in acid such as sodas.
{{/usCountry}}* Don’t brush too hard: Aggressive toothbrushing is a well-intentioned mistake. You may feel that brushing harder will remove more leftover food and the bacteria, but gentle brushing is all that is needed. When you brush too hard, it can wear down the teeth enamel and damage the gums.
* Pick the right toothbrush: An important feature of a toothbrush is the bristles that remove the bacteria and loosen plaque from your teeth and gums. Sometimes, you may think that the harder the bristles are, the more they’ll clean. But that’s not true. Compared to hard bristles, soft bristles can clean teeth more effectively.
* Brush your teeth for two minutes: The average time a person brushes his teeth is about 33 seconds. This is only one-sixth the amount of time necessary for teeth to achieve plaque-free status. When in doubt, follow the 2s: 2 minutes, 2 times a day rule.
* Don’t forget to clean other parts of the mouth: Another common mistake, while your toothbrush is at work, you may brush your front teeth more than the rest and leave out certain parts of your mouth. Brushing should be an equal opportunity activity, targeting the inside, outside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your gums, and your tongue.
* Don’t use an old toothbrush: Do you find yourself using the same old toothbrush while the seasons change around you? Are your brush bristles getting frayed? If yes, bust this bad habit and resolve to use a new brush every three to four months.
* Brush after meals: Wait at least half an hour before brushing to let your saliva naturally neutralise the acids.
– Inputs from dentists Ekta Chadha and Ajay Kakar.
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