Tips For Keeping Your Smile In Check
Despite the fact that we all know how important daily brushing and flossing are, many of us often skip these, with the excuse that we “don’t have time”, “it’s too much of a hassle” or we simply “forgot”. One way to ensure that you are properly taking care of your teeth and health is to incorporate them in your daily to-do-list until it turns into a routine. After all, taking care of your teeth should be one of our top priorities. To help you incorporate healthy tips into your daily routine Berkeley Clinic, a registered orthodontist Glasgow, created Your Daily Check-list for Healthy Teeth.
1. Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes
Brushing your teeth twice a day, in the morning and before you go to bed, is absolutely essential for keeping them healthy. The recommended time of 2 minutes helps ensure that you are not rushing through the process and that all the teeth are clean. You can use a timer to make sure that you are brushing as long as you should. Always use gentle back and forth motion across your teeth and gum line when brushing.
2. Store your toothbrush upright and uncovered
After you have finished brushing make sure that your toothbrush is stored upright and uncovered as moist environments encourage the growth of micro-organisms. Storing your toothbrush up and letting it air-dry is a good way to prevent the growth of bacteria.
3. Floss once a day
Daily flossing helps remove food particles that get between your teeth and that cannot be reached when brushing. It is an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene and also prevents gum disease. Make sure that you are not rushing through the process or flossing too hard as this could irritate your gums and lead to bleeding. For advice and demonstration on how to do it properly you can turn to Berkeley Clinic, your cosmetic dentist Glasgow.
4. Brush at least 30 minutes after eating
As most foods contain acids they can harm your tooth enamel, especially if you brush immediately after eating. Brushing your teeth at least 30 minutes after you have had food gives your saliva enough time to neutralise the food acids.
5. Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash
Although rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash after brushing is not obligatory it is strongly recommended. The mouthwash removes plague, prevents tooth decay and refreshes your breath. It also helps prevent gum disease.
6. Chew sugarless gum
As we cannot brush our teeth after every meal, because this may damage our enamel and it is not very practical, Berkeley Clinic recommends chewing a sugarless gum after a meal or a snack. Chewing promotes the production of saliva that help clean your teeth from food particles. The human saliva is made of 99.5% water but it contains a lot of important substances – mucus, electrolytes, enzymes and antibacterial compounds help replace the minerals in the tooth enamel and keep you smile healthy.
7. Eat raw vegetables
Eating raw fruits and vegetables helps increase the production of saliva and has other benefits for your general health. Producing more saliva helps neutralise the acids and also helps the food to move forward. Make sure that raw vegetables are a part of your diet and consume them daily.
8. Eat cheese
Cheese is an ideal snack for your teeth. It contains calcium and phosphate, which helps to keep them strong, it generates saliva, and also helps you get your recommended daily dosage of calcium which is essential for your teeth and bones.
9. Replace a sweet treat with a fruit
We all know that sweet treats have added sugar which contributes to tooth decay and is generally unhealthy, but you don’t need to give them up completely. Make sure that you do not consume too many sweets by replacing them with fruits instead.
10. Keep a food diary
Keeping a food diary could help you keep track of the sugar and acids you consume as part of your diet. It can also reveal unhealthy habits which enables you to make the necessary steps towards improving your overall health.
Schedule your next dental appointment with Berkeley Clinic
These are the 10 things that you should incorporate in your daily routine and that will help you keep your smile healthy. You should also remember to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or when the bristles look worn. Do not forget that regular dental check-ups are essential, as only a professional can removes the tartar from your teeth. Book your next dental appointment with Berkeley Clinic, orthodontist Glasgow. Our extensive range of dental treatments includes root canal treatment, dental bridges, replacement of missing teeth, and others, and as a registered cosmetic dentist Glasgow we also offer cosmetic treatments including teeth whitening and dental implants Glasgow. For a full list of our services visit our website. If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment contact us.
Tags: Dental Implants, dentures, emergency dentist, flossing teeth, oral hygiene, private dentist, Teeth Whitening, tooth crown, tooth extraction, Toothbrush