When it comes to your teeth, you absolutely have to take care of them with dental services. While you may not appreciate your teeth in your younger years, you’ll sure regret it later on in life if and when you have to get fitted with dentures. Use this article and learn how to properly maintain your teeth.
When a dentist recommends a deep cleaning, ask for a second opinion. This type of cleaning is more extensive and costs much more, so you need to make sure your dentist is not suggesting it for his own financial benefit.
To ensure your teeth are getting properly cleaned, make it a point to brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes. It’s very easy to get bored when brushing your teeth, and boredom can lead to a rush job. However, thinking of a favorite song or some other pleasant thought during brushing can help pass the time. It’s important to give your teeth the attention they deserve.
If you suffer from bad breath, there may be an underlying medical condition. To ensure that your bad breath is not from an underlying medical condition visit your dentist and primary care physician. If after finding you have no underlying medical conditions you still have bad breath, consider using a mouthwash after brushing and using breath mints or chewing gum in between brushing your teeth.
If you have tooth pain, take it seriously. If your mouth and gums feel painful for a long time, you may have an infection. Call your dentist if you have tooth pain.
Invest at least two minutes in brushing your teeth. The longer you brush, the more debris will be freed, so take time to brush properly. You won’t get everything if you rush through it.
Visit your dentist regularly. Many people are afraid of dentists. For the sake of your dental health, you should try your best to conquer this fear. Don’t just visit your dentist when a problem arises. If you are able, try to schedule regular tooth cleanings. Regular cleanings and checkups can prevent a real problem from occurring.
If you are moving from one dentist to another, bring your x-rays with you. X-rays provide valuable information about your teeth and dental history. They can help your new dentist to establish an effective treatment plan that works for you. Many dentists can even email x-rays, making it easy for you to transfer them from office to office.
Soda should be avoided for better oral health. Soda contains no nutritional value and is packed full of sugar. A typical two-liter bottle of soda can contain up to a full cup of sugar. Sugar weakens your enamel and is best avoided.
When you brush your teeth can be just as important as how often you brush your teeth. Although most dentists recommend brushing twice a day, it is important to make one of those brushings before you go to sleep at night. The production of saliva is much slower during sleep, and less saliva can allow damaging bacteria to grow.
Choosing a toothbrush that has the proper bristles for your needs is important. Ideally bristles should be firm enough to remove plaque but not so firm that they irritate and damage your gums. Whether you choose angled bristles or straight bristles is a personal choice and depends on which type you feel works best.
If you are considering whitening your teeth at home, you should consult your dentist first. Your dentist may be able to whiten your teeth just with a good cleaning. Your dentist should also be able to recommend at home whitening kits that should work for you. Your dentist will also be able to give you an idea of how white your teeth will be after whitening them.
Make sure that you clean your tongue. Many people neglect this important step, but if you don’t keep your tongue clean, it will just collect bacteria. This bacteria tends to be the main culprit of bad breath. Try using a tongue scraper every day to remove plaque and to freshen breath. The scraper is more effective at getting the tongue clean than a toothbrush.
You should see your dentist every six months for your routine teeth cleaning. Your dentist or dental hygienist can remove any signs of plaque or tartar that may have built up under your gums over the past six months. By having your teeth clean professionally every six months, you can prevent gum disease.
As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, taking care of your teeth now, will pay off tenfold later on down the line. Make sure to implement the tips and tricks mentioned and you will be well on your way towards healthy and bright looking teeth. Your teeth will thank you for it!