@oralb
As they say, “A smile is a universal language” — so don’t you want your pearly whites to last your lifetime?
If so, you need to show them some TLC, and simply brushing them won’t do. From how to brush your chompers to what foods are best for the health of your bite, here are five tips to boost your dental health.
Evaluate How You Brush
There are two methods that will affect how well you brush your teeth: how long you brush and how hard you brush. Firstly, you should brush your teeth for about two minutes (as recommended by the American Denal Association). Set a timer so you can ensure you’re brushing for the recommended time. Secondly, many people surprisingly brush their teeth too hard. If you push too hard on your teeth, it will irritate the gums and it actually doesn’t cleanse better. Either go softer on your brushing or use a toothbrush that has a pressure sensor which will basically tell you when you’re brushing too hard (or not hard enough) — like this toothbrush from Oral-B.
Floss (Yes, You Really Need To)
We all brush our teeth, but only an estimated 15 percent of Americans floss everyday. Even though some have said flossing is ineffective, it’s still crucial to use to keep teeth clean and fresh. Flossing is also vital in preventing gum disease and should be done at least once daily. If you dislike using regular string floss, try using floss picks instead which have a plastic handle and floss attached.
Don’t Skip the Dentist
An estimated 30 to 40 million Americans don’t go to the dentist because they have severe dental anxiety. It isn’t news to dentists that people get nervous going to appointments — that’s why many offer sedation dentistry techniques which can be anything from listening to your fave music during your appointment or creating a special hand gesture to indicate if any procedure is hurting. So make that appointment you’ve been dreading and talk to your dentist about your anxiety.
Avoid Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is the enemy of healthy teeth. When the mouth gets dry, there isn’t enough saliva to wash away unhealthy bacteria. In addition to drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary sodas that can lead to tooth decay, try chewing sugar-free gum with the additive xylitol, which has been proven to reduce the incidence of cavities. If you have chronic dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe a special mouthwash.
Watch What You Eat and How You Eat
The same foods that keep you healthy (fruits, veggies, fish, etc.) are the same foods that are good for your teeth. They aren’t high in sugars, so they won’t feed opportunistic bacteria. They’re also often high in water content to keep the mouth moist. Also, the healthiest way to eat for your teeth is to limit your between-meal and prolonged snacking. For example, munching on a bag of Sour Patch Kids over the course of four hours is worse than just eating a handful at once because munching over time continuously exposes the teeth to sugars. Limit your sugary snacking altogether and your teeth will thank you!
xx, The FabFitFun Team
