How to Take Care of Your Teeth and Avoid Cavities
Filed under Uncategorized
Although most people don’t like going to the dentist, everyone enjoys hearing the dentist or dental hygienist say something like “everything looks good” or “no cavities this time.” Unfortunately, cavities and tooth decay in general are a fact of life, especially for those who don’t fully understand how to take care of their teeth. Luckily, it doesn’t take a master’s degree in dentistry to ensure that your teeth (and, by extension, your gums) are as healthy as they can be. All it takes is a few simple steps.
The first thing you should do is throw out your non-electric, bristle-worn toothbrush and replace it with a fresh, new, electric toothbrush (you should get a new toothbrush at least every three months). If a deluxe model is not in your budget, a standard, battery-operated toothbrush will do the trick. These usually run for around five or six dollars or so and can be purchased at most any department or drug store.
Most people brush their teeth once in the morning and once before they go to bed, but care should be taken to brush your teeth after lunch and dinner as well. If you don’t have access to a sink and other necessary materials during these times, at least carry with you a package of nonstick, sugarless gum, preferably a brand containing xylitol. Not only will this help prevent plaque and tooth decay, it will help freshen your mouth in general (you don’t want your boss or that important client to avoid talking to you because of your bad breath).
When you do brush your teeth, you should brush vigorously for at least three minutes (six is preferable), which may seem like an eternity to some, but is well worth the time. After brushing, you should use a good mouth rinse, such as Listerine Total Care, which helps strengthen teeth, fight plaque, reduce cavities, restore minerals to enamel, and kill germs that cause bad breath (once again, you don’t want to scare off associates by simply talking to them face to face).
One of the most important ways to take care of your teeth is to floss each and every night. Simply take a strand of floss (10 to 18 inches is preferred), slip it between each of your teeth (all the way down to your gums), and floss with 10 or so vertical strokes to dislodge food particles and plaque. Not only will this help preserve your teeth (“floss only those teeth you want to keep,” a dentist once said), it will give you good, strong gums that are largely free of bacteria. If your gums don’t bleed a bit during teeth cleanings at the dentist, there’s a good chance that you are flossing regularly.
Naturally, sweet, sticky foods should be avoided to maintain a bright, healthy smile. If you must indulge in sweets (and who doesn’t from time to time?), only do so when you are in a position to brush and floss immediately afterward. Also, instead of eating nutrition-absent sweets for an extended period (such as nibbling on jelly beans while sitting at your desk), eat a cookie or a piece of pie (at least they have some food value), finishing it within a couple of minutes so you can go take care of your teeth and get back to what you were doing. Even better, substitute sweet snacks with cashews, carrot sticks, or pretzels.
