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What should a full day look like caring for your teeth?

They say it takes months for a person to form a good habit.  Starting a new behavior to automatically doing it depends on the person. However, let’s forget about the number and focus on doing the work.

When I was a kid I never knew how important it was in keeping a healthy mouth. All I remember was how my parents kept reminding me if I had brushed or not and the consequence of getting cavities and the pain that came with it - if I hadn’t.

With that said, let’s go and identify the source of not keeping a habit of proper brushing and the daily things one can do to obtain it.

What is that gooey stuff on your teeth?

Plaque is caused by bacteria living in your mouth, which causes cavities and gingivitis that lead to gum or periodontal disease. Good oral hygiene every day is needed to keep your mouth clean.

Plaque is formed and accumulates on teeth where toothbrushes find it hard to reach, it is sticky layers of material containing bacteria which come from food you eat that produce acids. Obvious sources of plaque are acid forming food that are rich in sugar and starch as well as other foods that you may not realize can cause harm like bread, crackers and cereals to name a few.

Substances are produced by plaque that cause redness, sensitivity and susceptible bleeding which irritates the gums which lead to gum disease, wherein gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that are filled with bacteria and pus. If left untreated, gum disease can destroy the bone around the teeth that can cause the teeth to become loose and eventually need to be removed.

Eat food rich in vitamins and minerals getting enough fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet which are good sources of vitamins that promote optimal oral health.

Brush at Least 2x a Day

Brush teeth at least twice a day after breakfast and before heading to bed at night. If possible, brushing after lunch as well would be best.  When you brush make sure your toothbrush reaches every corner of your mouth and teeth including your gums and tongue.

Floss as Well

Using floss regularly to clean tight spaces between the teeth and under the gum line which are not reachable by toothbrush should be added in your daily oral hygiene. 

Mouthwash Helps

Mouthwash can also help freshen breath however only masks the root cause of bad breath. Certain food and tobacco products are just some of the obvious causes of this. Visiting your dentist may help determine if it is caused by poor dental hygiene, health problems, mouth infections, dental problems or even medications. Choose products that do not contain alcohol, as it may cause dry mouth.

Teeth Whitening

Prevent unnatural teeth discoloration by using over-the-counter whitening products, like whitening strips and whitening toothpaste, to remove stain and whiten your teeth. Safest way however, is to visit your dentist and let him do the job.

Regular Dental Visits

Regular visits to the dentist every six months but more often than that if you have dental problems.  Dentists can check early signs of tooth decay and gum problems, may also remove plaque build-up through oral prophylaxis or teeth cleaning.

Mr. Bright Smiles
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Mr. Bright Smiles
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