Our teeth are important in many ways; they play a significant role in our everyday life. Strong and healthy teeth will help you chew, impact your looks as well as help you speak clearly.
Achieving healthy teeth takes a lifetime of care; even if you have nice teeth it is important to make deliberate effort to take care of them in other to prevent tooth problems in the future. Caring for our teeth involves getting the right oral care products as well as being conscious of our daily habits. Below are some ways we can keep our teeth healthy;
- Brush your teeth twice daily; Health experts recommend that we brush our teeth at least twice daily at night (before bed) and in the morning. As brushing before bed helps eliminate germs and plaque accumulated over the course of the day.
- Brush properly; the way you brush is also important, doing a poor job of brushing your teeth is just as bad as not brushing at all. It is important you take the time to move your toothbrush gently in circular motion to remove plague as plague can harden and lead to calculus buildup and gingivitis (gum disease).
- Brush your tongue; properly caring for the tongue is very crucial for your oral health. Bacteria and other debris can build up on your tongue, not only can this result in a mouth odor, it can also cause other oral problems. Therefore, it is important we brush our tongue every time we brush our teeth.
- Use fluoride-containing toothpaste; when it comes to selecting the most appropriate toothpaste for your teeth, there are important elements to look out for. No matter the brand you choose, make sure it contains fluoride. Fluoride is a main stay in oral health as it fights germs that can cause tooth decay.
- Use mouth wash; mouth wash helps to clean areas that the brush doesn’t reach, they also support teeth re-mineralization. Mouth wash can be used by both children and adults. However, it is important you ask your dentist for specific mouth wash recommendations as some brands are not suitable for children and people with sensitive teeth.
- Flossing; getting rid of food stuck between our teeth is very crucial to maintaining healthy teeth, this can be done daily. Flossing helps to stimulate the gum, reduce plaque buildup and lower inflammation.
- Drink plenty of water; water remains the best beverage for your overall health and your oral health is not an exemption. It is important you drink enough water as it helps to eliminate some negative effects of sticky and acidic foods and beverages.
- Eating vegetables; eating fresh vegetables regularly is a great choice as they contain fiber, remove plaques and freshen our breath.
- Limit sugary and acidic food; sugary and acidic foods such as acidic fruits, tea, coffee and so on can destroy the enamel (outer layer of the teeth).
10. Regular checkup; It is recommended that routine visits to the dentist are scheduled at least twice a year.
Ikpontu Emmanuela Ifunnaya is a animal scientist who completed her degree from University of Benin. She is a writer, designer and a software developer.
She is a versatile writer and she has written article on several subjects such as health, personal finances, personal development etc
She enjoys reading, singing and making friends and she is passionate about helping young girls grow.
