Dental Hygiene: Teeth Care
Although you may experience dental caries and other similar problems quite early in life, your teeth can actually last a lot longer than that. The enamel covering the surface of the teeth is extremely hard and if you take good care of your teeth – by visiting your dentist, brushing and flossing regularly – you will be able to avoid the most unpleasant problems, like gum disease and tooth decay.
Brushing your teeth regularly will help you:
• Maintain proper dental hygiene, avoid cavities and tooth decay; these conditions can cause more serious problems, such as infection.
• Avoid periodontitis – the disease that can lead to teeth loss and seriously damage your gum tissues and bones.
• Have natural teeth until you are old – that’s something not too many people can boast.
• Make your trips to the dentist pleasant – as you will be going there just for a checkup.
• Save a lot of money. Your dental health insurance may not cover all the costs you will have to bear if you have unhealthy teeth.
• Have fresh breath. By brushing your teeth regularly you will prevent the bacteria responsible for bad breath from accumulating inside your mouth.
• Have white teeth without bleaching – if you don’t smoke and abstain from coffee and tea.
• Contribute to the overall improvement of your health.
When brushing your teeth:
• Do it regularly after meals at least two times a day (after breakfast and before going to bed).
• Make sure your brush has soft bristles and a head that is small enough to reach al the parts without hurting your gums. The toothbrush is to be changed every 2–3 months.
• You can also go for an electric toothbrush with rotating and oscillating action. These toothbrushes are perfect for teeth care: they are a lot more effective as they can clean your teeth in the places where bacteria usually accumulate.
• Make sure you place the brush at a 45-degree angle. Don’t scrub your teeth with it, as it won’t make them cleaner, and can simply destroy the enamel by scratching it. It can also cause your gums to pull away from the teeth.
• Remember that the chewing surfaces should be given as much attention as possible, the strokes should be short and your brush should move back and forth.
• Don’t miss any surfaces of your teeth – tongue side or cheek side, pay attention to your front teeth.
• Don’t forget about your tongue: it should be brushed from back to front, and you can use the same toothpaste. This helps eliminate the plaque that contributes to the growth of bacteria and causes bad breath.
Another important part of teeth care is everyday flossing. It doesn’t matter what kind of floss you use as it removes pieces of food stuck between your teeth irrespective of its flavor and type. These are the techniques you can use when flossing:
• The circle technique: The piece of floss you are using should be approximately 12 inches long. The ends should be tied together to form a kind of a loop. You can adjust the size of the loop by wrapping it around your fingers.
• The finger wrap technique: The piece of floss you are using should be 18-20 inches long. One end should be wrapped around the left middle finger, while the other one – around the right middle finger. Your hands should be 2–3 inches apart.
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