As they say, “A smile is a universal language” — so don’t you want your pearly whites to last your lifetime?<\/p>\n
If so,\u00a0you need\u00a0to show them some TLC, and simply\u00a0brushing them won’t do.\u00a0From\u00a0how\u00a0<\/em>to brush your chompers to what\u00a0foods are best for the health of your bite, here are five tips to boost\u00a0your dental health.<\/p>\n Evaluate How You Brush<\/strong> Floss (Yes, You Really Need To)<\/strong> Don\u2019t Skip the Dentist<\/strong>
\nThere 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<\/a>). 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\u00a0cleanse 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<\/a>\u00a0from Oral-B.<\/p>\n
\nWe all brush our teeth, but only an estimated 15 percent of Americans<\/a> floss everyday. Even though some have said flossing is ineffective<\/a>, it’s still crucial to use to keep\u00a0teeth 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.<\/p>\n
\nAn estimated 30 to 40 million Americans don\u2019t go to the dentist because they have severe dental anxiety<\/a>. 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.\u00a0So make that appointment you’ve been dreading and talk to your dentist about your anxiety.<\/p>\n