Top Tips For Better Teeth

Better teeth are only a few changes away, so take a look at these tips and improve how you brush to improve your smile

 

Brushing Properly

The easiest way to keep your teeth clean and healthy is to brush them properly. When you brush your teeth you should hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle near to the gum line. The bristles of the brush should be in contact with both the surface of the teeth and the gum line. The outer surface of the teeth should be gently brushed in an up and down motion as well as a side to side motion to avoid bleeding.

The inside surface of the teeth should be cleaned in the same manner with the brush held at a 45 degree and moved in the same way. You should also brush the surface of the tongue, roof of the mouth and inside of the cheeks to remove the bacteria which cause bad breath. Brushing should be done twice a day to prevent a build up of acid, but if you are unable to do this you should rinse your mouth after you have eaten to minimize the amount of bacteria in the mouth.

 

Don’t Forget To Floss

According to Dr John Fagbemi a dentist with a dental clinic in London most people find flossing to be a chore and often forget about it before heading out or going to bed. However, flossing will remove food particles and other substances that brushing will not be able to reach. It is recommended that you floss at least once a day to reach the areas that toothbrush bristles cannot.

 

Avoid Tobacco

Avoiding tobacco will be a great help for your teeth and it could save you from diseases such as oral cancer or periodontal complications. Avoiding tobacco will also help you avoid the health risks posed by some of the agents used to remove the smell of tobacco from your breath. If you smoke you might use candy or tea or coffee to mask the smell and this will actually double the damage being done to your teeth.

 

Limit Your Intake Of Soda, Alcohol And Coffee

All of these beverages have high levels of phosphorus which is needed to maintain a healthy mouth, but if you have too much of this mineral you can deplete the levels of calcium in the body. The depletion of calcium will cause dental problems like gum disease and tooth decay. You should also stay away from drinks with corn syrup and food dye as they make teeth dull. Sticking to healthy drinks like milk will ensure that your teeth are healthy and that your smile is always the best.

Take Calcium And Vitamins

Calcium is an essential nutrient to ensure tooth and bone health. To increase the calcium levels in your body you should drink milk or fortified orange juice, you could eat more yoghurt, cheese, broccoli and other dairy products. Many people turn to supplements to ensure they have the right amount of calcium and the dosage you take should relate to your age and the amount of calcium that you need.

You also need to have vitamin D to increase the health of your gums. Vitamin B is also essential to protect the gums against bleeding and cracking. Other minerals needed for healthy dental hygiene include iron, copper, zinc, potassium and iodine.

Visit The Dentist

You should visit the dentist at least twice a year for a full oral hygiene check. These appointments should also include x-rays to see if there are any problem areas. The dentist will also be able to advise on any steps you should take to include your dental health.

 

Use Mouthwash

Alongside brushing and flossing you should use mouthwash. Of course, you cannot rely on mouthwash to do all the work as you need to brush and floss properly. You should also consider that not all mouthwashes are useful, but ones containing chlorine dioxide will help to kill bacteria in your mouth.

 

Notice Dental Symptoms

If you have any tooth or jaw pain you should book an appointment with your dentist. The dentist will be able to determine what the cause of the problem is and tell you how this should be treated. If you leave the ache for too long it could turn into a major problem instead of staying a minor issue.