Keeping Teeth Healthy and Maintaining Oral Hygiene

You know keeping teeth healthy is not that hard to do. It takes regular check-ups and homecare to have them. Here is a good routine to follow.

Brushing teeth at least twice a day is a must! Always brush before bedtime and after breakfast, this will enable you to start your day fresh, during the day no doubt you will be dinning out, chewing sugar-free gum does have its benefits as this will neutralize and wash away acids that are produced from foods.

• Don't brush your teeth to hard as this can cause gum bleeding open to infection
• Don't brush your teeth directly after a meal - let your saliva do its natural work
• Don't have to brush your teeth longer than 3 minutes, as this can lead to unnecessary ware on your enamel.
• Don't leave your teeth too long between cleaning, plague will build up and can cause gum disease
• Don't grind your teeth as this can lead to unnecessary wear
• Don’t eat really hard things as they can chip teeth

• Do brush your teeth two to three times daily
• Do floss your teeth daily
• Do brush your teeth between 2 and 3 minutes at a time
• Do chew sugar free gum
• Do use mouth wash daily
• Do visit your dentist regularly
• Do get your teeth cleaned by a Dental Hygienist twice yearly

If at all possible, brushing teeth after having sugary treats will help immensely. Research indicates that leaving sugary treats on your teeth will lead to tooth decay.

The same is true of other foods. The longer the food particles are in the mouth, the more likely that tooth decay will begin. That's why brushing soon after eating is advisable.

Flossing is as important as brushing. Flossing removes food particles that become trapped in the gaps between one tooth and another. Waxed dental floss is easier to use and less likely to cut the gums than the un-waxed type.

Choosing good toothpaste is important. Ingredients to look for include fluoride, baking soda and peroxide.

Fluoride is important for reducing the risk of cavities. Baking soda helps to keep enamel white, fight bad breath and remove stains. Hydrogen peroxide provides the same benefits. The two ingredients are often found together.

Brushing teeth correctly is another part of keeping teeth healthy. The brush should be held at a 45 degree angle to the surface to be brushed. Back and forth, as well as circular motions should be used to remove food particles, tartar and plaque. Remember to brush all surfaces: cheek-side, tongue-side and chewing surfaces.

Be gentle. Scrubbing too vigorously can cause injury to the gums and eventually cause the gums to recede.

Brushing your tongue can help you have healthy teeth by removing bacteria that helps plaque to grow. It also reduces bad breath.

You can follow brushing and flossing with a mouthwash or fluoride rinse to help remove any germs or food particles that you missed. Rinsing with mouthwash is not essential, but it is simple to do and it could reduce your risk of cavities.

Snack on crunchy fiber rich vegetables like carrots and apples to give your teeth a workout and keep them strong. Drink an 8 ounce cup of milk every day or take a calcium supplement, keeping teeth healthy will ultimately last most of your life.