1. Brush your teeth twice a day
This is the first, well-known rule, but not all adhere to it. However, brushing your teeth twice a day – in the morning after breakfast and in the evening before bedtime – is really very important.
The fact is that a film is formed on the teeth and the components of the saliva of bacteria and food debris are already sticking to it. This is plaque. It is soft and can easily be removed with proper brushing.
If this is not done, then this will lead to the formation of tartar, which is impossible to get rid of at home alone. Therefore, visit the hygienist at least once every six months.
Also note that after taking acidic foods, it is recommended to brush your teeth no sooner than after 40-60 minutes, because acid, getting on the surface of the teeth, softens the enamel and brushing your teeth immediately after taking acidic foods leads to irreversible damage to the enamel.
2. Use an effective brushing technique
What is an effective technique? The bristles of the toothbrush should be located at an angle of 45 degrees to the tooth surface, then smooth sweeping movements of the toothbrush from the gum to the cutting edge are performed. Remember to brush the inside of your teeth and pay attention to brushing your tongue.
Please do not push the brush with all the force, this does not increase the effectiveness of brushing your teeth, on the contrary, it can be harmful. If you want to check the force of pressure on the tooth, then try pressing the fingernail on the hand with a brush: if a white spot appears around the place of pressure, then you press too hard.
3. Brush your teeth for a long enough time
Everyone must have heard that teeth should be brushed for at least three minutes twice a day. Now honestly answer yourself: do you really spend enough time brushing your teeth?
However, more effective brushing techniques have now been developed and this time can be reduced to 2 minutes twice a day. Everyone can find 4 minutes a day to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
And to make it easier to keep track of time, turn on your favorite song: within 2-3 minutes you can dance and brush your teeth, and get a good mood.
4. Rinse the toothbrush thoroughly
After each brushing, be sure to thoroughly wash your toothbrush and store it in a dry state in an upright position, preferably away from the toilet, because, according to British scientists, when draining water in the toilet, microorganisms are scattered almost 2 meters in different directions. Just imagine what settles on your toothbrush.
5. Change your toothbrush regularly
It is recommended to change a toothbrush 4 times a year or once every 3 months. To make it easier to remember, change the brushes with the change of season: March has come – it’s time to buy a spring brush, and in June the time will come for a summer change of dental accessories.
But if you see that the bristles have swollen and lost their shape, then this is a sign that it is time to change the brush, because it can not only clean and efficiently clean plaque, but also cause injury to the gums.
It is also recommended to change the brush after a cold viral illness: as soon as you have recovered, please yourself with a new toothbrush.
6. Floss at least once a day
Each tooth has 5 surfaces. And if you restrict toothbrushing only with a toothbrush, then 2/5 or 40% of the tooth surfaces remain uncleaned. Only with dental floss can plaque be effectively removed from the interdental spaces. By the way, these areas are the most insidious, because if tooth decay develops between the teeth, then it simultaneously spoils both adjacent teeth.
There are people who brush their teeth excessively aggressively with floss, thereby injuring the gums and causing chronic inflammation.
If you are unsure of your technique, ask the hygienist to show how to do it right.
In a nutshell, the movements should be smooth and directed up and down. To effectively floss your teeth, you need to imagine where the plaque settles and how to remove it. You kind of draw the letter “C” first to one tooth, then to the second.
If you are uncomfortable using ordinary floss, look for floss holders in pharmacies and stores. There are also pre-made disposable slingshots, with which even a beginner can easily cope with the task of cleaning interdental spaces.
And remember that the correct brushing technique is very important, and only then is dental floss. They are different, you need to select individually to understand which thread is best for you.
7. Limit the use of harmful drinks
Unhealthy drinks include energy, sports, carbonated, because they contain a large amount of sugar, which is not good for health in general and for teeth in particular.
In addition to latent sugar, such drinks have low acidity, which negatively affects the tooth enamel, corroding and thinning it. The regular use of such drinks can lead to tooth sensitivity and leave irreversible changes on the tooth enamel.
8. Drink through a straw
The use of colored or sugary drinks can affect the color of the teeth, so it is recommended to use them through a tube, which will reduce the contact of teeth with these fluids and prevent tooth repainting.
Of course, you will attract attention if you sip red wine through a straw in a restaurant on a romantic date – the choice is yours. But a simple straw will help preserve the whiteness of the teeth, and a man after this will definitely not forget you.
9. Do not split hard foods and objects with your teeth
No matter how great the temptation, do not try to crack a hard nut with your teeth, crack open a lollipop, ice, open all kinds of bottle caps, etc. There are appropriate tools for this – please use them as intended.
10. Avoid frequent snacks.
After each meal, the body needs time to restore the acid-base balance. But if you really want to eat something, then instead of products that stick to your teeth, for example, cereal or chips, it is better to give preference to vegetables or fruits.
Please note that after using sour apples or lemon, it is not recommended to brush your teeth or eat solid foods (such as crackers): acid on the tooth softens the enamel, and at the same time increases the effect of solid particles to damage the surface of the tooth.
Picture Credit: Superkitina
