Having a beautiful smile goes just beyond regular brushing and dentist check-ups. There are certain considerations to keep in mind when taking care of your teeth and gums throughout the year - both precautions to take and habits to develop - in order to help develop a healthier and more radiant set of pearly whites. Considering these important pieces of dental care advice while maintaining a regular and thorough brushing and flossing regimen will guarantee that your smile remains dazzling.
For Brushing
1. Be careful of excessive or too rough brushing. A soft bristled toothbrush should be more than enough to clean your teeth properly with proper technique. You may also want to consider upgrading to an electric toothbrush. These devices promote more effective home care as users tend to brush for longer with greater focus on the teeth. As a result, more plaque is removed and there is less likelihood of damage to the gums.
For Children
2. Pay special attention and care if your child is particularly active with sports. When appropriate, have the child wear a mouth guard to protect against tooth and mouth injury. If your child suffers from a broken tooth, carefully have him or her rinse their mouth out, place a cool compress on the area if it helps alleviate the pain and then immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment.
3. Though some may view oral home care for very young children as less important because "baby" teeth are not permanent, it is vital to establish good oral hygiene habits to children at a very early age. This will help establish and promote regular and proper oral care into their adolescence and adulthood. Thorough care includes flossing and brushing with a soft bristled toothbrush twice a day as well as dentist visits every three to twelve months.
4. Take advantage of the wide variety of dental home care products available on the market that cater to a young audience. This can include brightly colored, smaller sized toothbrushes, kid-friendly toothpaste and mouthwash flavors and various oral hygiene products that feature their favorite music artists and television or movie characters. Anything that will encourage regular oral care at a young age is helpful!
For Eating and Drinking
5. Be aware of when you eat or drink something that has a high acidic content as this can contribute to erosion of your tooth enamel. This does not necessarily mean that you should cut these items out of your diet completely, but it does mean that you should be even more vigilant with your dental care when partaking in these foods or drinks. Common culprits are salad vinaigrettes and citrus juices.
6. Other drinks to be wary of also include certain fruit-flavored herbal teas, sports drinks and wine. While black and green teas are generally very healthful, other herbal teas contain a surprising amount of acid which can cause tooth damage. Similarly, sports drinks commonly contain high amounts of acid and sugar which have been shown to be about thirty times more corrosive to enamel than water. White wine has also been shown to increase the likelihood of tooth decay while red wine will stain teeth. To help remedy any of these effects, be sure to rinse your mouth soon after drinking these beverages.
7. Be careful when eating certain foods that may cause tooth such as chipping or cracking inadvertently. Common culprits include popcorn, nuts, ice and hard candies. Biting into certain meat dishes that include bone, like barbecue ribs for example, can also carry a risk of accidentally causing a chipped tooth. Keep in mind that while a cracked tooth can be obvious, sometimes it takes time to be revealed, manifesting first as a subtle toothache or tooth sensitivity to temperature. When you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to call your dentist for a check-up.
For those with Diabetes
8. Those who unfortunately suffer from diabetes must deal with increased glucose levels and, often, saliva production. Both of these factors contribute to a larger chance of poor dental health among diabetes patients. The result can include soft and highly sensitive tooth enamel, particularly when ingesting food or drink that is overly sweet or acidic. If you have diabetes, be sure to pay particular attention to your oral hygiene. Regularly rinse with a mouthwash and brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush. Many find it more comfortable to wait 30 minutes after eating before beginning the dental care regimen.
By following these simple tips, you and your family can be on the road to greater dental health. Which of these ideas for dental care advice can you incorporate into your oral hygiene regimen today?
