Dental Care Basics: Keeping A Healthy Mouth

Your teeth are one of the first things people notice about you when they see you. Therefore, you must try to keep them in good shape. This article is full of tips that will help your teeth look better than they ever have.

Few things are more important than fluoride for making healthy and strong teeth. If your tap water is not fluoridated, the members of your household are at risk of developing tooth decay. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Another choice is using a mouthwash with fluoride.

Gum Disease

Talk to your dentist if you see blood when you brush. Bleeding gums are a possible indicator of gum disease, which can become seriously problematic if it goes untreated. Infection, tooth loss, and bone disease are just a few of the results of untreated gum disease.

Regularly brush your teeth. Always do it at least twice a day. If possible, brush after every time you eat. Spend around 3 minutes, and brush each tooth carefully. Brush gently using a fluoride toothpaste. After you brush your teeth, floss.

No dental hygiene routine is complete without daily flossing. Flossing your teeth make a huge difference. Place the floss between two teeth. Use a motion going back and forth. Don’t let it go under the gums, as it should remain at the gum line. While the spaces between your teeth are important, you should also focus on the front and back as well when flossing,

Teenagers are typically lazy about dental care. A good tool for encouraging teens to brush is to tell them that other people can smell their breath, and will judge them for it, because no one likes foul breath. This can provide some motivation for teenagers because they are usually preoccupied with the opinions of their peers.

Look for whitening strips and clean your teeth often if you want to have whiter teeth. Use the products as directed. Using them too much will harm your teeth.

Do you regularly get tartar? If so, it’s important you have reliable anti-tartar mouthwash and toothpaste. Tartar generally forms on your bottom front teeth and your upper molars. See a dentist on a regular basis to get rid of the tartar.

Do your teeth feel sensitive to very hot or cold temperatures? Look for a toothpaste that is made for sensitive teeth, and make an appointment with your dentist. Sensitivity might be a sign of a cavity or nerve inflammation. Early treatment of this sort of problem is always a good idea.

When you brush your teeth, continue brushing for two minutes or more. Brush upward from your gum line to the tip of your teeth, and make an effort to clean each tooth. Make sure that you brush with a pressure that is comfortable for you, though still effective. Replace your toothbrush with a softer one if brushing hurts your teeth.

Smoking is bad for your dental health. Educate yourself about the kind of damage you are likely to see in the future if you continue smoking. You should quit right away. You can get advice from your doctor and your dentist about quitting smoking.

Never overlook dental pain! If your mouth and gums feel painful for a long time, you may have an infection. Call your dentist to set up an appointment.

There are some food groups that are especially healthy for your teeth. Try to eat foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D. Broccoli is another food that is good for your teeth as well. Meats provide ample protein which is beneficial for healthy gums.

Be honest in your thinking about using an oral irrigator. They could be very beneficial for you. You still need to brush your teeth; they are not a replacement. Bear in mind that plaque is not something they get rid of. In addition, you have to make sure to use them as directed to avoid sending bacteria into the gums.

There are effective and natural alternatives to commercial mouthwash. You can make your own mouthwash by combining 2 cups of boiling water with a tablespoon of salt, three tbsp. of baking soda and one tablespoon of peroxide. This mixture will give you the perfect rinse for your mouth.

Are you a fan of ice chips? It’s best to stop that asap. You can actually crack a tooth, plus the cold can cause a lot of pain from sensitive nerves. Try chewing some sugar-free gum instead. Don’t put ice in your drinks if you can’t stop chewing the ice.

Mouth Guard

If you’re playing sports, get a quality mouth guard. Get your dentist to make you a custom guard if there are issues finding one that fits right. Getting hit in the mouth may cause a great deal of damage. Avoid damage by using an adequate mouth guard.

If your gums are inflamed or red, you may have gingivitis. People who do not properly care for their teeth and gums are most susceptible to getting this disease. If you notice your gums bleeding every time you brush your teeth, you may have gingivitis. Check with your dentist immediately about these symptoms as you don’t want to take any chances on further complications.

Increase your intake of fresh foods. Most dried fruit contains a lot of sugar. You can inadvertently expose teeth to a ton of sugar that’s more than they can handle. Only eat a few if you insist on having some.

Try the chewable tablets that show plaque on your teeth every so often. These tablets show you where plaque is located so you can work to remove plaque from that area. With regular usage of these tablets, you will minimize the amount of plaque in your mouth and help prevent the occurrence of gingivitis.

You should floss prior to brushing your teeth. Many dental woes begin in the problematic area between teeth, making it very important to spend time cleaning there. If you don’t like flossing, there are special tools to facilitate it. You can change out the floss as needed, so they are very hygienic.

As mentioned before, your teeth are the first thing people see when they meet you. You want to give them a good first impression. Use the advice above and your teeth will start to look better than ever.