5 Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Clean
by Lillian Dixon
Everyone wants that famous Hollywood smile; perfect white teeth help to radiate confidence. However, for many of us the excess cash required for top level dentistry and crowns just isn't an option. Yet with these 5 simple tips you can avoid costly trips to the dentist and at the very least enjoy healthy teeth and gums.
1. Brush Well, Brush Regularly
Brushing your teeth is the first step towards a healthy smile. Brushing twice a day in the morning and before bed helps to remove food debris and reduce the buildup of acid. Try brushing for a couple of minutes in front of the teeth and behind as well. Avoid rinsing your mouth out with water afterwards, as the toothpaste residue left behind will continue to clean.
2. Floss
Flossing is a great way to remove food debris between the teeth that a toothbrush simply cannot reach. Flossing once a day, preferably in the evening, will help to stop acidic foods eating into the enamel and reduce the buildup of bacteria throughout the night.
3. Avoid Sugary Pop and Alcohol
High sugar pop drinks can deplete the levels of calcium in the body because of the large amounts of phosphorous in them. Try to limit them to just once or twice a week. Be aware that the food dyes used in these drinks also stain teeth, so if a nice white smile is your goal, it's best to avoid these all together or drink them with a straw to limit the contact with your teeth.
4. Use Mouthwash
Mouthwashes are great for freshening breath and killing off even more bacteria in the mouth. This is perfect if you find yourself without a toothbrush; however, always think of it as a supplement to brushing and not an alternative.
5. Clean Your Tongue
We all focus on cleaning our teeth yet we forget the tongue, which comes into contact with everything we eat and drink. Using your toothbrush, scrape off any residue from the back of the tongue to the front before rinsing the bristles and doing it again. This will help to remove bacteria, which can cause odors in the mouth and further stain teeth, whilst washing the brush will help you to avoid spreading the bacteria around.
Following these basic tips on a daily basis is the perfect way to keep your mouth clean and healthy and reduce those unwanted trips to the dentist.
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About Me
As a mum, I know how essential sport can be to children's development. Through team sports like soccer, kids learn persistence, sportsmanship and the value of supporting their team members. However, all that learning carries some risk as well, and a stray elbow or a ball to the face can result in oral injuries. I have been the mum rushing to the emergency room with a precious permanent tooth sitting in a cup of milk. Admittedly, at the time, I wasn't even sure if the cup of milk was the right solution. As a parent, you will face those situations, and I'm here to make sure you know what to do when they pop up. With this blog, let's explore children's dentistry and sports injuries together... I want you to have the info you need to stay cool, calm and collected, regardless of how many teeth are on the pitch.