Oh if only teeth could talk, they would speak of the horrors people put them through. From not properly brushing to the tasking work of chewing sticky and tough food items. The teeth go through quite an ordeal which is exactly why a good oral regimen is important to ensure their care.
The horrors start with:
1. Brushing Twice a Day
Only if you knew what the cost of feeling too lazy at night to brush was. Your mouth has thousands, in fact, millions of bacteria. Your gum and teeth rely on both the toothpaste and toothbrush to help in preventing these bacteria to become a problem. Which is exactly why your dentist recommends brushing twice a day.
Before heading to bed, you want to do so with a clean, fresh mouth. As you breathe through your mouth while sleeping, bacteria easily get in since there is no protective mechanism in the mouth to block bacteria that comes in through the air. This added with the bacteria that festers throughout the day can eventually lead to problems. Oh, and while we are on the topic of brushing, remember you need to brush for at least 2 minutes and do it thoroughly.
2. Flossing is as Important as Brushing
When you eat, food particles get stuck between teeth and in the lining of your gum. While brushing may help you get rid of some of these particles, you can ensure it targets all of them. In fact, there are times that even individuals that brush regularly develop plaque due to food particle getting stuck in their gum lining. That is where flossing comes into play.
Flossing, when properly done, can help remove food particles from between your teeth and the gum lining. It also helps remove plaque that may be starting to form. The best time to floss is after you’ve brushed your teeth both in the morning and night time. The brushing process helps make flossing easier.
3. Chewing on Ice, Candy Cane, and Having Chips Takes a Toll
The most important task of teeth is to help you chew food. While most foods are easy to chew some can take a toll on your teeth. The enamel of the tooth, the outer layer that comes in contact the food, can break down when it is required to make contact with hard surfaces. That is why dentists recommend you don’t chew on ice or hard candy like a candy cane. Chewing on such items can result in a chipped or broken tooth.
Chips are everyone’s favorite junk food and while they may taste good, they can be damaging for your teeth and gum. Chips are filled with starch and can easily get stuck between your teeth and in gum lining. Starch over time becomes sugar and feeds the bacteria in your mouth. Which can lead to problems such as cavity and infections.
4. We (Teeth) Need to Be Checked On
The teeth are a part of your body just as much as your heart. You find that individuals go for heart and another type of checkups on a regular basis but skimp out on the dentist. To ensure that your teeth are in good health, it is important to have them checked at least twice a year. The dentist can ensure you are taking good care of them and also provide you with tips on how to improve your oral regimen. As long as you have a reliable dentist like VIPcare Dental, you know you will be in good hands.
5. Our Neighbor, the Tongue, needs to be Cleaned Also
Don’t just keep your focus on your teeth and gum. The tongue is another breeding ground for bacteria as plaque can even build up on the tongue. Plus, no one likes bad breath which results from an unclean tongue. So every time you brush your teeth, be sure to give your tongue a gentle brush. This will make sure it stays clean.
The Bottom Line
If teeth could talk, they would only tell you of the atrocities you put them through. Which means you need to up your oral health game. Teeth and gums require proper care otherwise they will lead to oral problems. Problems that can be painful and can even impact your overall health.
