Now that the new year is here, it's time to start thinking about those resolutions. If proper dental care isn't at the top of your list, it should be – especially if you want your natural teeth to last as long as you do. Proper dental care includes semi-annual dental checkups, as well as brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. However, there are some other steps you can take that will improve the health of your teeth and gums. Here are three simple things you can do to help keep your teeth healthy.
Take Care of Your Toothbrush
If you don't know how old your toothbrush is, it's time for a new one. Toothbrushes get worn out quickly. Once the bristles have worn down, they're not going to get your teeth and gums as clean as they should. For best results, you should get a new toothbrush once every three months. If you use an electric toothbrush, change brush heads once every three months. If you have a hard time remembering the three-month rule, just remember to switch your toothbrush at the start of each new season.
It's also a good idea to store your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible. Leaving your toothbrush on the counter, near the toilet, could put it at risk for fecal contamination. You might not realize this but each time you flush the toilet, tiny aerosol particles of fecal matter or urine filter through the air. Prevent contamination, and keep your mouth clean, by storing your toothbrush away from the toilet.
Brush Correctly
If you're spending less than a minute brushing your teeth, you're not doing it right. For brushing to be truly effective, you need to spend at least three minutes brushing your teeth - 1 ½ minutes each on the top and bottom teeth. Not sure how long three minutes is? Play your favorite song while you're brushing your teeth. That will give you at least three minute's worth of brushing time.
Increase Your Saliva Production
You might not realize this, but saliva plays a very important role in good dental health. It's your saliva that washes away bacteria that causes bad breath and tooth decay. To increase the production of saliva in your mouth, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Don't take chances with your dental hygiene. Use the tips provided here to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Be sure to see your dentist at least twice a year. For more information on keeping your teeth clean and healthy, visit a website such as Treasured Smiles Dentistry.
Share29 December 2016
When the bottled water craze began, I jumped on the bandwagon with everyone else who was drinking water from bottles instead of from the tap. I wasn't sure why bottled water was healthier, but I liked the taste. When I went for my next dental check-up, I had my first cavity in a while, so I had it filled and didn't think much of it. Well, I had two more during my next check-up after that, and I began trying to think of why my teeth were suddenly going bad. The only change in my habits was the switch to bottled water, so I made the switch back to tap water and my teeth began to improve. I created this blog to encourage others who have begun getting cavities suddenly to look into their changes in habits. They may find they made a change similar to mine.