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Have you been programmed to crave cereals and snacks packed with sugar, sweet carbonated soft drinks, and other junk foods? Advertisers may have also convinced you that you need to buy gum, breath mints, and mouth sprays to have nice breath.But fresh breath doesn't necessarily give you a healthy mouth and teeth. So how exactly should you take care of your teeth? Tooth Care at Home According to dentists, the most important part of tooth care happens at home. Brushing and flossing properly, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. And if you're like most people, you don't exactly look forward to facing a dentist's drill. So wouldn't it be better to prevent cavities before they begin? Giving Plaque the Brush Off To prevent cavities, you need to remove plaque, the transparent layer of bacteria that coats the teeth, by brushing your teeth twice a day. Brushing also stimulates the gums, which helps to keep them healthy and prevent gum disease. Brushing - along with flossing - is the most important thing that you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Did you know that the toothbrush was invented by the Chinese in 1,000 AD? We now have lots of choices in toothbrushes, including different sizes, shapes, types of bristles, and colors. Your dentist will tell you which toothbrush is the right size and shape for you. Most often, however, dentists recommend a soft-bristled brush to minimize damage to teeth and gums. What's in a Toothpaste? Toothpastes contain abrasives, detergents, and foaming agents. Fluoride, the most common active ingredient in toothpaste, is what prevents cavities. So you should always be sure your toothpaste contains this ingredient. About one in 10 people has a tendency to accumulate tartar (another word for plaque) quickly. Using antitartar toothpastes and mouthwashes, as well as spending extra time brushing the teeth near the salivary glands (the inside of the lower front teeth and the outside of the upper back teeth), may slow the development of new tartar. If you have teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold, and pressure, you may want to try a special toothpaste (like Sensodyne) for sensitive teeth. But you'll still need to talk to your dentist about your sensitivity because it may indicate a more serious problem, such as a cavity or nerve inflammation (irritation). There is no evidence that toothpastes containing baking soda have any special cleaning or whitening abilities. Although you may want gleaming white teeth, be careful when buying over-the-counter products. Some bleaching agents may cause damage to your gums and mouth. If you want to whiten your teeth, talk to your dentist. He or she may be able to offer you professional treatment. Tips on Proper Brushing Dentists say that the minimum time you should spend brushing your teeth is 2 minutes twice a day. Here are some tips on how to brush properly:
Facts on Flossing Although brushing is important, it won't remove the plaque and particles of food between your teeth, under the gumline, or under braces. You'll need to floss these spaces at least once a day. The type of floss you choose depends on how much space you have between your teeth. Although unwaxed floss is often recommended because it is thinner and easier to slide through small spaces, studies have shown that there is no major difference in the effectiveness based on the type of floss used. With any floss, you should be careful to avoid injuring your gums. Follow these instructions:
The Nutrition Connection Eating sugar, as you probably already know, is a major cause of tooth decay. When and how often you eat sugar may be more important than how much you eat. When you eat sugary foods or drink sodas frequently throughout the day, the enamel that protects your teeth is constantly exposed to acids. Hard candies, cough drops, and breath mints are especially harmful because they dissolve slowly in your mouth. Many experts suggest that you take a 3-hour break between eating foods containing sugar. Sugary or starchy foods eaten with a meal are less harmful to your teeth than when they're eaten alone, possibly because the production of saliva, which washes away the sugar and bacteria, is increased. However, sugary foods eaten before you go to bed can be very damaging (especially if you don't brush your teeth afterward) because you don't produce as much saliva when you sleep. For most people, it's hard to cut out sweets completely, so try to follow these more realistic guidelines:
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