Hi
friends! In the olden days, people used to brush their teeth by chewing the
tree twigs. This chewing process not only cleaned the teeth but also maintained oral hygiene due to the medicinal properties the twigs contained,
especially of the neem. Later on, people started using charcoal powder, clove
oil, mint, long pepper, camphor, salt, etc., due to their medicinal benefits in
overall oral care. We are now in an age
where we have exposure to various tools for taking care of our oral health.
As we depend on our teeth daily for eating, it becomes important for us to take proper dental care to enable our teeth to function to the highest and longest potential. Unfortunately, dental care is one of the neglected aspects of our day-to-day activities today.
The following are some of the easy and smart ways of taking care of the teeth, following which we can not only prevent any future dental problems but also save our money from the expensive treatment procedures, which involve quite a lot of money. Let’s get into the subject right away.
1.
Brushing the teeth at bedtime.
Brushing
the teeth at least twice a day is advised.
Brushing before bedtime is more important to get rid of the food
particles, germs, plaque, etc., that could have accumulated throughout the day
while eating. Brushing at night prevents
plaque buildup, prevents gum diseases, and prevents the growth of bacteria in the
mouth.
2.
Proper usage of toothbrush
Being
a little attentive while brushing our teeth helps in completing all the required
gentle motions like circular, vertical, and horizontal motions, to bring out
the food particles and clean the plaques if any from the deep corners of the
dental structures. If not cleaned,
plaques can harden up leading to a buildup of calculus and could even cause
gingivitis.
Gentle massage of the gums using the brush every time we brush thickens the gum epithelium (the outer layer of the gum tissue) and this helps in protecting the gums from infection-causing bacteria. Massaging the gums also increases the blood flow to the gum tissue, which leads to the circulation of more nutrient-rich blood to the gum tissue to help in improving overall gum health and in fighting any gum diseases.
3. Tongue Care:
The tongue could sometimes develop papillae (bump-like structures on the tongue) as a
result of the buildup of bacteria, dead skin, plaque formation, accumulation of
some food particles, etc. This could
lead to bad breath and could sometimes trigger some oral health problems. Brushing
the tongue every time we brush our teeth is all that is needed to take care of
such problems.
4. Toothpaste with fluoride
Toothpaste
with fluoride helps prevent cavities, help strengthen the weak and exposed
roots, helps prevent early stages of tooth decay, and helps in remineralization
of tooth enamel by bonding the areas of tooth decay and attracting other
minerals (like calcium) to the site of the damage. Fluorapatite is a mineral that the tooth
enamel creates when fluoride is present. Thus toothpaste with fluoride provides
a good defense system against tooth decay.
5. Importance of flossing
Plaque
is a white and sticky substance. It
grows constantly. If not removed, it hardens
and turns into tartar, also called dental calculus, and this could cause
gingivitis, cavities, tooth decay, tooth loss, etc. Removal of the plaque is advised right from
its initial stages to avoid future ill effects. Though brushing helps in its removal, it may
not remove completely. This is where the role of flossing comes. Flossing and brushing
together help in the complete removal of plaque and other hidden particles. Flossing should be done daily. Some people may find flossing
difficult. They may consider flossing
tools and ready-to-use dental flossers that are available on the market.
6. Using mouthwash
Mouthwash
provides fresh breath, reduces gum inflammation by killing bacteria, reduces
tooth decay, and prevents gum disease by acting as an antiseptic. The bleaching agent present in mouthwash
helps in whitening the teeth. Most
mouthwash preparations contain antiseptic and anti-plaque ingredients to fight
gum diseases. Sodium fluoride in
mouthwash prevents cavities and fights tooth decay. Mouthwash being a liquid, it
flows easily between the teeth and this helps thorough flushing. Some products help in the dry mouth by keeping
the mouth moist. Thus mouthwash can be
considered an adjunct tool in maintaining good oral health. Seeking the
advice of a dentist on a specific mouthwash for a specific oral health
requirement is always advisable.
7. Drink water
Food,
beverages, and acids from plaque can adversely affect tooth enamel. Water dilutes the acids and helps in
protecting the teeth. Drinking just a
glass of water can wash away and flush away the residual particles that can
cause stains. It reduces the bacteria that can cause bad breath and it protects
the tooth enamel. Water is the best
beverage for our overall health and that includes oral health. Drinking water
that contains fluoride is the easiest way to prevent cavities. Drinking water also prevents dry mouth. Thus drinking
water is recommended after every meal.
8. Crunchy fruits and vegetables
Crunchy
fruits and vegetables are natural teeth cleaners (also known as dental
detergents), as they stimulate the flow of saliva, which helps in cleaning
bacteria and food particles. They also are abundant in fiber content. Oral-friendly fruits and vegetables include
apples, pears, melons, celery, carrots, green leafy vegetables, etc. Cheese increases the pH level of the mouth and
thus helps in reducing the risk of tooth decay.
Cheese contains calcium and protein abundantly that help in
strengthening tooth enamel. Tea (both green and black) contains polyphenols
that help remove toxic material from the mouth that could cause gum disease and
cavities. It is highly recommended to eat the fruits as they are without
cutting them into pieces, to enable full functioning of the teeth and gums.
9. Avoid acidic and sugary foods
When
sugary foods or drinks are consumed for long periods of time, plaque bacteria
use that sugar and produce acids that damage the enamel. Most carbonated soft drinks including diet soda are acidic and are considered to be
not good for the teeth. The most common
foods that could damage the teeth include candies, (chewing) ice, citrus
beverages, excessive use of coffee and tea with sugar, sticky foods, crunchy
foods like potato chips, carbonated sugary drinks, and alcoholic drinks, etc., with
excessive use. However, the use of such products in moderation is advised.
10. Dentist visits twice a year
Even
if we are very good at taking care of our overall oral health by way of
brushing, flossing, etc., we need to visit our dentist twice every year for cleanings
if any, and for checkups. This is
important not only for calculus removal but also to look for cavities, to be
able to check for any potential problems and to provide possible treatments if
needed. Many dental problems can be
dealt with effectively when they are detected early.
Conclusion:
These
simple ways can help in providing good care for our oral health, especially when
the expenditure for dental procedures and treatments is skyrocketing.
We can as such walk an extra mile and take good care of our teeth and overall oral care as prevention is always better than cure.
Thanks for going through this article. I sincerely hope that the above information did help you in some way or the other. I wish you all the very best.
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If you still find these methods somehow not suitable or practical for you, here is a super simple way for overall oral health. Click here to learn more.
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