Unlike many countries, the United States have many resources in providing dental care. Since you probably have all these tools at your disposal, you should use them to your advantage. Keep reading for important information on dental care basics.
Cavities, which are also called dental caries, are the result of weakened tooth enamel. Bacteria that is allowed to languish on teeth is just one thing that helps to weaken enamel. Twice-yearly dental appointments allow you to have much-needed oral care and cleaning. Your annual visit to the dentist should include checking for cavities.
You should schedule a dentist appointment every six months. You can prevent tooth problems by visiting the dentist regularly. Frequent appointments are the best way to ensure plaque doesn't have a chance to build up, tooth decay can't set in and can prevent gum disease.
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!
Schedule dental appointments twice yearly or as often as recommended by your dentist. You can only avoid problems when you see a dentist regularly. Also, when you go frequently, you will start to become more comfortable when you visit. This is important if you ever need dental surgery or another serious procedure.
Your mouth is full of both good and bad bacteria. To help destroy the bad bacteria in your mouth brush your teeth using a fluoride toothpaste several times a day. Ask your dentist for his recommendation of the toothpaste that will work best to protect your teeth from bacteria.
What you eat matters as much to your dental health as how frequently you brush or floss or visit the dentist. Eating a lot of sugar-laden foods will leave your mouth full of rot and cavities. Try to reduce the amount of sugar you eat, and also the sugar in your drinks.
Don't forget to take care of your gums. Your gums are a part of your mouth as well, and they affect your teeth and many other things. In fact, if you fail to take care of gum disease, it can lead to problems in your blood. Talk to your dentist about what you should do to care for your gums.
If you have a difficult time remembering to floss, invest in some flossing picks. This is just a little toothpick-like implement equipped with dental floss. They are easily portable, and you'll be able to floss whenever you want. Using picks makes flossing a lot easier for some people. The picks are also ideal for helping a child who lacks the dexterity to use regular floss.
Your dentist may refer you to a specialist for a root canal, extraction or other special procedure. If your dentist refers you to a specialist, pay attention to how you feel in the specialist's office; you may need to ask your dentist for another recommendation if classification of periodontal disease you don't feel you can get adequate care from the specialist he or she referred you to.
When choosing a toothpaste, make sure that the product you choose includes fluoride. You can choose any flavor or brand you prefer, or you can even choose paste or gel. In fact, there are great kids options on the market which have glitter in them! That'll convince them to brush!
Keep your toothbrush clean! You are brushing to remove bacteria after all. If you don't clean your brush head after every brushing, you'll be recontaminating your mouth with each use. Wash out the brush head every time you use it. Simply place it under the water faucet and completely rinse out the bristles.
If you suffer from jaw pain and headaches, you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep. If you think you might be grinding your teeth, talk with your dentist. He may be able to offer you a bite guard. A bite guard is made of soft plastic that is custom fitted for your mouth.
If you can afford it, using an oral irrigator is a great alternative to flossing. They shoot water out at high pressure which removes both plaque and food debris from between your teeth. Combined with brushing, this technique will remove almost double the plaque, plus gum health is greatly improved.
Choosing a toothbrush that has the proper bristles for your needs is important. Ideally bristles should be firm enough to remove plaque but not so firm that they irritate and damage your gums. Whether you choose angled bristles or straight bristles is a personal choice and depends on which type you feel works best.
In order to keep your teeth as clean as possible, try eating more foods that will help to keep your teeth clean. Apples, celery, and carrots are great foods because the crispness will help to clean your teeth. If you won't be able to brush immediately after a meal, try to have a crisp food as the last thing you eat during your meal.
Use an electric toothbrush. Not only do these brushes help keep your teeth cleaner; they are a lot of fun to use, at least compared to a normal toothbrush. This will help you make your brushing into more of a habit. Plus, they are easier to clean and will last a long time!
If you find yourself slacking when it comes to spending quality time with your toothbrush, get an egg-timer. They are cheap and easy to use and will mark the time you devote to better dental care. Experts say you need to spend at least three minutes brushing, two times a day!
If you desire fresh breath, you must brush twice daily -- including your tongue. Debris and also bacteria collects on your tongue and causes bad breath.
To prevent your teeth from getting stained by coffee or tea, have a little sip of water after you enjoy your beverage. The water can rinse away some of the staining and slow down the build up of the stains. If you cannot brush after you drink a dark beverage, sip some water.
Clearly you have much to think about while maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile. You shouldn't neglect your teeth. This article is by no means the only resource you should look to for good dental care. Inform yourself to protect your teeth and smile.
