When it comes to dental care, you want the best. This means that you need to look at several different factors when you’re choosing the right dentist. And you want to know some general things about dentistry as well. Consider the following tips that will help you navigate your way.
Flossing helps remove plaque on and around your gum line and should be performed at least twice daily. When flossing, gently work the dental floss up and down between each tooth. Do not subjugate your gums to harsh flossing procedures; instead, use a gentle hand and waxed dental floss to help protect your gums.
Daily flossing is essential to healthy teeth. Take a generous amount of dental floss and insert it gently between your teeth. Move the floss up from the gum on the side of each tooth. This will remove plaque that you can’t reach with your toothbrush and help keep your teeth their cleanest.
Cavities can develop when a tooth’s enamel weakens. The cause of these weakened spots is bacterial growth. Have your teeth cleaned by a qualified hygienist every six months. At these visits, the dental hygienist will x-ray your teeth and look for cavities.
Brush your teeth twice a day to prevent tooth decay. When you brush, make sure to massage the gums with your toothbrush and to keep brushing for at least two minutes. Dentists recommend two minutes as a minimum amount of time to brush if you want health teeth and gums.
Sugar is a major cause of most types of tooth decay. Eating sugar isn’t the only problem. Drinking sugar can be even more harmful. When you drink sugary drinks, the sugary residue just sits on your teeth. It coats your mouth. As long as the sugar is on your teeth, it is causing damage.
If you ever run out of your regular brand of toothpaste and need a quick fix, experts say it’s okay to mix baking soda and water to hold you over. The bubbly concoction is actually as good as most major brands of commercial toothpaste. Simply wet your brush and dab the bristles in the baking soda and voila, your teeth are clean!
Oral hygiene is important whether you have natural teeth or dentures. Your dentures need brushing as much as natural teeth do. You should also brush your tongue to remove bacteria that causes halitosis, or try using a tongue scraper.
Did you know that the sequence that you eat your foods in can play a role in whether or not you develop cavities? Eating sugary foods such as cake alone is much worse for your teeth, than if you eat the cake after a meal. Don’t eat sugary foods alone, always eat them with other foods.
Now that you have read through these helpful tips, you should be able to better select a dentist and make better decisions about procedures. You don’t just want someone else making the decisions for you. You want to be educated about everything, and now you can make those decisions.
