A healthy mouth is an important part of your overall well-being; gums and teeth can indicate disease long before you’re aware that anything is wrong. The following article will offer expert advice on keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top shape. Read on for useful information that will keep your smile beautiful.
If you require a filling in one or more of your teeth, choose wisely. Tooth-colored composite fillings are an attractive, discrete option. However, this type of filling also happens to be less durable than most metal fillings. Metal fillings are also a better option for larger areas. Remember, looks aren’t everything!
When it comes to choosing a toothpaste, there are literally dozens of choices you have at the store. No matter what sort of toothpaste you choose, the important thing is that it contain fluoride. Fluoride is an important chemical in keeping your teeth clean and healthy so make sure you use it.
Change your toothbrush every eight weeks. Keeping one longer than this is just introducing bacteria to your mouth, which is contrary to the purpose of brushing. If you have a toothbrush with a removal head, just change the head every two months. Anything used in your mouth longer than this is risky.
If your young child is swallowing a lot of toothpaste, consider switching to a toothpaste without fluoride. Fluorideis quite beneficial in keeping teeth healthy, but it can be dangerous if you injest a large amount. A young child does need to brush daily, but sometimes using a non-fluoride toothpaste in the earliest stages of brusing can be beneficial.
Remember to clean your tongue. You may brush your teeth regularly, but are you remembering to keep your tongue clean as well? Cleaning your tongue is important, especially if you want your breath to smell clean and fresh. Make sure to scrape or, at the very least, brush your tongue on a regular basis.
Brush your teeth twice a week with baking soda. Use it just like you would toothpaste normally. Baking soda will help whiten your teeth over time. You can also use regular salt as a replacement. Just remember never to swallow either, otherwise your sodium levels might get higher than they should.
Make sure you take your children to the dentist at an early age. These initial visits will set the stage for the rest of their life, and you want them to view visiting the dentist as an important bi-yearly event. You can start taking your child to see the dentist when they have teeth, and their pediatrician should be able to make a referral to get the process started.
If you are deathly afraid of spending time in the dentist’s chair, you might be tempted to skip cleanings or procedures altogether. This is a bad idea, especially since poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease or even diabetes. Consider sedation dentistry, in which the patient is not awake during the appointment. Also, some dentists will prescribe sedatives prior to the appointment. If you use either option, you must have someone who can drive you to and from the appointment.
Teeth and gums say a lot about a person’s health. Of course you want to have the best looking set of teeth possible but it’s important to go beyond that and understand the implications of oral problems and what you can do about them. Keep your smile bright and healthy for a long time to come!
