subject: Tips for basic dental hygiene [print this page] Tips for basic dental hygiene Tips for basic dental hygiene
Everyone knows how important it is to maintain good dental hygiene and remove stains from teeth if you wish to keep your breath fresh and your smile bright.
Unfortunately it is something that a lot of people overlook and their teeth become neglected.
It need not be expensive or time consuming to keep your teeth in tip top condition and even if your teeth become discoloured it is not difficult to remove stains from teeth by using teeth whitening and bleaching techniques in your own home without spending huge amounts of money.
Not only will having a healthy mouth make you look and feel better within yourself but problems that are allowed to develop in your mouth can spread to other parts of the body to affect your health generally. Even your vital organs such as your heart can develop problems as a result of poor dental hygiene.
Below are 5 tips to help you keep your teeth healthy
Make regular visits to your dentist
A visit to the dentist is not a popular activity but if you visit your dentist every six months or so any minor problems will be detected and treated before they develop into something more serious. Your dentist will advise you about preventative measures about preserving your teeth in good condition and how to remove stains from teeth as they occur.
Brush your teeth morning and night
If you do not clean your teeth regularly it is inevitable that you will have bad breath as a direct result. Bacteria will then build up on your teeth and general decay and cavities will then occur. It is a simple and inexpensive matter to remove stains from your teeth immediately they occur by brushing which may help you to avoid having to use teeth whitening and bleaching agents as a remedial measure.
You should always brush your teeth at least twice a day but if possible it is advisable to brush after each meal. If it is not possible to brush between meals the try to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to remove any particles of food that may be lodged between your teeth. Chewing sugar free gum can also be useful as it encourages saliva production which neutralises the build up of acid.
If you do not remove stains from teeth and plaque is allowed to build up you could develop a condition known as gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). Fortunately this condition can be reversed by simply removing the plaque build up which then allows your gums to recover.
By skimping on brushing your teeth you will at the least have bad breath but also bacteria and decay will build up on your teeth and can lead to cavities and you needing fillings. If possible you should try and brush your teeth between meals, if this isn't possible, rinsing with water or eating a sugar free chewing gum can help by encouraging saliva production to wash away and neutralise the acid build up. If plaque is left on teeth this can lead to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) the good news is it is completely reversible as once the plaque is removed the gums can then recover.
If you find that brushing alone is not sufficient to remove discolouration of your teeth you can alsobuy teeth whitening kits for home use that will give detailed instructions about teeth whitening and bleaching.
Remember to Floss!
Flossing is not as common in the UK as it is in America. It is not designed to remove stains from teeth surfaces but is a highly effective method of removing plaque build up from between the teeth.
It is important that you floss correctly as you can cause your gums to bleed if you do not do it properly. You can of course ask your dentist to give you a proffessional clean and polish which will remove stains from teeth and get rid of plaque build. If you do not maintain a proper dental hygiene routine the problems will however return. Remember prevention is always better than cure!
Limit the amount of artificial sugar in your diet
It is difficult to cut out sugars completely as they occur naturally in a lot of the foods we eat. We can however control the intake of the artificial sugars which are the most harmful. It is a good idea to try and avoid sugary foods and drinks between meals to give your teeth a chance to be remineralised by your saliva. Citrus fruit drinks and fizzy drinks between meals do definitely lead to tooth decay and erosion.
Cut down on Alcohol and tobacco
Alcohol and cigarettes are extremely damaging to the health of your teeth. There is usually a large sugar content in alcoholic drinks and mixers which can easily lead to tooth decay.
Smoking is almost certainly going to result in your teeth turning yellow which will need to be treated by a dentist or alternatively with teeth whitening and bleaching products to remove stains from teeth.
If you smoke you are also at greater risk of developing mouth cancer and gum disease which can in a lot of cases ultimately result in tooth loss.
