Many people make the mistake of leaving their teeth and gums until
they are in agony with toothache. This is not the best way to care for
your teeth and the sooner you start following a good dental care
program, the longer you will enjoy the benefits of your own teeth in
your mouth.
Over the years your teeth start to crumble, it's a
fact of life, which results in receding gums, chipped teeth and
fillings, root canal treatments and more. Taking good care of your teeth
and gums can reduce the risk of an emergency appointment at your local
surgery and leave you with gleaming white teeth day after day.
The
first and probably most important aspect of dental care is tooth
brushing. There are people that get obsessed with tooth brushing, which
can lead to other problems if carried out too often. Ideally you should
brush your teeth two to three times per day for at least two minutes per
brush.
Take your time, ensure you brush each tooth, removing any
plaque and debris. If you feel you don't do a good job by hand, why not
invest in a battery operated toothbrush which swivels constantly,
providing your teeth with a thorough cleaning.
Don't forget to brush your tongue, which harbors a lot of the bacteria in your mouth.
Once
you have the brushing aspect down, it's time to look at flossing.
Everyone should floss at least once a day. Flossing can reduce the risk
of gum disease and can help remove plaque buildup. There has even been
evidence that regular flossing can reduce the risk of heart attack and
stroke.
The good news is that floss comes in a variety of flavors,
including a refreshing spearmint, a welcome addition before brushing.
Then there is mouthwash. Mouthwash can be an integral part of your
dental care, reducing bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to gum
disease.
After brushing, take a mouthful of mouthwash and give it a
good swirl around before spitting it out, it will not only help reduce
the risk of gum disease, but it will also help remove plaque and leave
you with fresh breath.
It's essential that as part of your dental
care program you replace your toothbrush on a regular basis. Ideally
your toothbrush should be changed every three months, as a rule. But
there are many cases where you should change it sooner.
If you are
sick or already have gum disease, it's essential you change your
toothbrush within a few weeks, rather than waiting the three month
period. When you are ill, replace your toothbrush once you are better,
reducing the risk of reinfection. If you have gum disease, try and
change your toothbrush once a month, as bacteria does build up on the
brush, which means you are just pushing it around your mouth and not
eliminating it.
Finally, don't skip your dentist appointments. So
many people only visit the dentist when in pain, but they are there to
help prevent problems before they start. You should visit your dentist
every one to two years for a check-up and maybe a clean. The dentist can
clean your teeth much better than any toothbrush, removing tartar build
up and plaque and leaving you with smooth and clean teeth.
Whatever
you do ensure you go to all your dental check-ups, doing this along
with a good dental care program can ensure that you have healthy teeth
and gums. This also means that you are less likely to need to visit your
dentist for an emergency treatment.
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