Taking good care of your teeth is not just an aesthetic matter. Teeth problems can lead to countless other health issues, such as diabetes, systemic infections, heart disease, and others. Today we are going to have a look at how to take care of your teeth, debunk myths and show alternative methods.
How to Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums
How to Floss Properly
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Is It Necessary?
We know that flossing can be quite a chore, and sometimes you can forget about it. However, this step is essential for maintaining a perfect health of your mouth. Flossing is helpful for removing the food residues and bacteria in places where the toothbrush or the mouthwash can’t reach. Moreover, it is more flexible, so you can reach even the farthest corners.
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How to Do It Correctly
Even if you are already using dental floss, it’s important to know how to floss properly. Hold the floss between the thumbs and the forefingers of your both hands. You only need to expose around 3-4 inches of the floss. Then, wrap it around the index fingers. In this way, you can easily grab it. According to the specialists, thumbs should be used for the upper teeth, and index fingers for the lower ones. However, the most important thing is to do what’s more convenient for you.
Simply slide the floss between the tooth and the gum line and make sure you cover all of them. Curve the floss around the bone and dip it 2-3 mm down. Move it up and down, careful not to hurt the gums. When you’re done, move it back out.
How to Brush Properly
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How Many Times Do I Need to Brush My Teeth?
An important part of knowing how to take care of your teeth is knowing when to do it as well. You should repeat this process at least twice a day. This helps prevent any acid buildup that appears when bacteria break down food. However, if you can’t do it that often for objective reasons, you should rinse your mouth with water after you eat.
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When Should I Change My Toothbrush?
You might know already that specialists recommend changing the toothbrush every three or four months. The main reason for this is the fact that this is the period after which the toothbrush bristles usually wear off. As such, they become frayed and are not as effective. Regardless of the type of toothbrush you are using, you should change it regularly.
An important thing to remember if you want to know how to take care of your teeth correctly is that you need to change the toothbrush (or the toothbrush head) whenever you are not feeling well or you are sick. The bristles don’t protect you against any disease, nor prevent you from getting ill. Change it regularly and keep the hygiene.
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What Toothpaste Should I Use?
Ideally, you should ask your dentist about the right toothpaste for you. They should be familiar with what type of teeth do you have; what problems are you prone to or what weaknesses your teeth have. However, few people do that, which leaves us with a hard choice to make in the store. There are countless types of toothpaste: against tartar buildup, with whitening capacities, for sensitive teeth and gums, with special flavors for kids, etc. An important thing is to check whether the one you choose has been approved by the ADA (American Dental Association) or the corresponding authority in your country.
Alternatively, there are plenty of DIY toothpaste recipes you can make at home. For example, many DIY whitening toothpaste suggestions rely on using baking soda or salt. Using an activated charcoal toothpaste recipe has long been debated within the dentists’ community, but most people resort to it because it’s a natural alternative to chemical toothpaste options. In the end, only you decide how to take care of your teeth and what’s the best way for you.
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How to Brush Properly
Sadly, many people don’t know how to brush properly. The key here is to place the bristles of your toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees, next to the gum line. Next, brush the surface of the teeth with an up-and-down, back-and-forth motion. Make sure you do this gently to avoid any bleeding. Use this technique on all the sides of your teeth. Finally, use the bristles or a special tongue cleaner to brush the tongue, the roof of your mouth and the cheeks to keep bacteria at bay and avoid bad breath.
How Often Should I Use Mouthwash?
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Why Is It Necessary?
Mouthwash isn’t present on all the guides on how to take care of your teeth. However, it is highly recommended you use it. Choose a mouthwash that contains chlorine dioxide or Listerine. These help kill the bad bacteria in your mouth. Moreover, they help with good breath and keep your teeth strong. They don’t do a lot on their own but combined with proper brushing and flossing, they can work wonders. Pay attention, since using mouthwash too often can lead to tooth enamel loss.
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How to Use It Properly
Most of the time, you will notice the instructions on the label of your mouthwash bottle. If you want to know how to take care of your teeth properly, you also need to know how to use mouthwash correctly. Swish it around in your mouth for minimum 30 seconds. If you want to make sure you have a good hygiene down your throat as well, you can gargle it a couple of seconds before spitting it out.
Home Remedies for Teeth Care
Just like we mentioned above, there are plenty of home remedies you can make with natural ingredients and use. Here you have some examples:
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Removing Plaque from Teeth
If you want to know how to remove plaque from teeth, you should know there are plenty of homemade options for this. Besides respecting a good oral hygiene, it’s useful to adapt your diet and to brush with baking soda, chew sesame seeds or apply strawberries and tomatoes to your teeth as well.
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Get Tartar Off Teeth
Just like removing plaque from your teeth, you can learn how to get tartar off teeth at home as well. Yet again, baking soda proves to be particularly useful. Another option would be to mix aloe vera with glycerin, add baking soda and lemon essential oil and brush your teeth with it. You can also try rubbing your teeth with orange peel.
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DIY Mouthwash
Here is a recipe for doing your own antibacterial, natural mouthwash:
- ½ cup distilled/filtered water;
- 2 drops peppermint essential oil;
- 2 drops tea tree essential oil;
- 2 tbsp baking soda.
Mix all the above in a small mason jar and you’re set. Alternatively, the oil pulling teeth treatment can work just like a regular mouthwash. You just need to take one tablespoon of olive, coconut, or sunflower oil and to swish it around your mouth for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with water, brush, and floss.
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DIY Teeth Whitener
Have you ever wondered how do celebrities keep their teeth so white? Most likely they use expensive toothpaste. However, there are several recipes for DIY teeth whitener that will not cost you an arm and a leg. Most recipes you will find online also rely on baking soda and salt. Make sure you try it once before settling for such a solution for a long period. You can also use apple cider vinegar to whiten your teeth.
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DIY Remedies
In case you happen to have an accident, you should know how to fix a cracked tooth at home, for instance. There are some steps you can take without any professional help, such as taking a painkiller, rinsing the mouth with salt water, or covering the tooth with paraffin or chewing gum without sugar. However, in this case, you will need to go to the dentist. They will provide the right implants and gum care, as well as other treatments you may need.
Teeth Care Tips
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Avoid Tobacco
If you look up how to take care of your teeth, you will see that tobacco is one of their biggest enemies. If you cut down on it, you will avoid oral cancer, as well as other periodontal complications. Moreover, you cut down on the candies, coffee, or tea you use to mask the smell.
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Avoid Alcohol, Coffee, and Sodas
This is a tip you probably heard before. Indeed, these do contain high levels of phosphorus, which is good for your teeth. However, too much of it can drain your body of calcium. Furthermore, this leads to tooth decay and other gum disease. Drink instead milk, which helps you have stronger teeth and enamel.
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Consume Vitamins and Calcium
Just like we were saying earlier, it’s important to consume calcium and vitamins. Drink milk, orange juice, and eat broccoli, cheese, and yogurt. It’s not enough to know how to take care of your teeth properly, you also need to know what to eat to help them be healthy. If you want to know how to keep teeth healthy and strong, you should read about taking calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B supplements as well.
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Stop Grinding Teeth
This process is called bruxism and it may not look like it’s that harmful. Surprisingly, it can turn into a great danger if it’s habitual. If you don’t stop teeth grinding, you can risk loosening your teeth, damaging, and fracturing them. Moreover, you can even hurt your jaw.
Signs You Need to Go to the Dentist
Even if you have a good oral hygiene or not, it’s important you go to the dentist if you notice the following sings:
- Pain;
- Loose teeth;
- Red, painful gums;
- Swelling in your jaw;
- Sensitivity to temperature;
- Bad breath.
Conclusion
Finally, it’s important to be informed about all the aspects above when deciding to take care of your teeth. Know how you should brush, floss, and use mouthwash, and do them at the right time. Luckily, there are plenty of DIY alternatives for expensive products, so taking care of your teeth doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.
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