Taking care of your teeth is important to your health and your appearance. Damaged or rotting teeth cause pain, bad breath and can actually affect other parts of your body, like your heart. Use the helpful advice in the article below to keep your teeth bright, clean and healthy.
If you have had your teeth whitened, you'll want to avoid any foods that may stain your teeth. In most cases, a person will have their teeth whitened and then find that they do not stay that way for long. This is caused by eating and drinking foods or liquids that stain, such as red wine and colored food.
Treat your teeth to dental cleaners between appointments with your dentist. These small, one-time use brushes can make sure your teeth stay clean between your regular brushing. A couple examples include the Sulcabrush and the Reach Stim-U-Dent.
Examine your toothbrush several times a month. Look for signs that you might need to buy a new one. The bristles are often the first indication. If you see that they are becoming frayed, go out and purchase something else. In general, you shouldn't go longer than four months without getting another brush.
Do not chew on ice cubes. Chewing ice can crack teeth and make it easier for bacteria that causes cavities to stick to teeth and create problems. You also should be careful when eating nuts or popcorn so that you don't damage your teeth. Get to your dentist quickly if you think you have cracked a tooth.
Get your children used to brushing their teeth as soon as they start to come in. Wipe infants' teeth clean with a cloth every day so they are used to putting something in their mouth to clean their teeth. When your children become toddlers, let them have a toothbrush to play with and chew on. Then, when they get a little older, show them how to brush their teeth.
If you have missing teeth, you may be thinking about dentures. Permanent constructions, however, are a much better choice as dentures only have about one-fifth of the strength of regular teeth. Permanent options such as bridges will keep your teeth strong and allow you to live a more comfortable life.
You can avoid a lot damages to your teeth if you quite drinking sodas. Most sodas contain extremely high amounts of sugar as well as harsh chemicals. Read the labels of the beverages you purchase and talk to your dentist about the effect of sodas and sweets on your teeth.
Make sure you change your toothbrush once every two or three months. After a few months of use, your toothbrush's bristles will wear out and will no longer effectively brush. This same rule applies for electric toothbrush heads. If your toothbrush is wearing out before two months, it could be a sign that you're brushing your teeth too harsh.
Always choose a toothpaste that has scientific evidence to back up its effectiveness. For example, a toothpaste such as Colgate Plus has the evidence and the effectiveness for optimal teeth and gum health. It is important that all of your toothpaste choices are clinically proven to reduce your risks of getting dental disease.
You must floss every day. Your dentist recommends it, but you're probably not actually doing it. Without flossing, it's not possible for you to clean your mouth completely. Flossing will help you get rid of the small pieces of food stuck between your teeth and around your gums. This really helps contribute to whiter teeth and healthy gums.
You must floss after you brush. Flossing gets rid of the residual food particles between your teeth and gums that can calcify if they remain between your teeth. This is how tartar develops. By flossing daily, you prevent plaque build-up that can create problems for you if it is left on your teeth.
When you brush your teeth can be just as important as how often you brush your teeth. Although most dentists recommend brushing twice a day, it is important to make one of those brushings before you go to sleep at night. The production of saliva is much slower during sleep, and less saliva can allow damaging bacteria to grow.
Many dentists recommend an electric toothbrush for all of their patients, mostly because they work so well without having to brush vigorously. The job can be done more quickly, and the head of the brush is small so it can get into all places. In the end, they just do a better job.
Brushing your teeth is not only important for the health of your teeth. It also ensures that your gums do not become unhealthy. The health of your gums is very important, and has been shown to be directly related to the health of your heart. Brush your gums gently so that they remain healthy.
Use a damp cloth to clean a baby's gums. This helps remove milk sugars. They will form plaque if they are left in the mouth. Wiping this away will help establish good dental care quite early.
Turn dental care into a hard to break habit. That means brushing and flossing every single day without fail. If you start skipping, then you'll make it easy to convince yourself that it's ok. It isn't. Plaque and bacteria don't rest. Don't skip days and convince yourself that any skipping is a bad idea.
If you are considering whitening your teeth at home, you should consult your dentist first. Your dentist may be able to whiten your teeth just with a good cleaning. Your dentist should also be able to recommend at home whitening kits that should work for you. Your dentist will also be able to give you an idea of how white your teeth will be after whitening them.
You should now see that there's no reason to avoid caring for your teeth. You have been given tips for dental care you can use at home, which will prevent you from going to the dentist all the time. Use what you have just learned to maintain a healthy smile.