Dental Care | 7 Basic Things You Should Do
Basic dental care means brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular bases, going to your dentist regularly twice a year for check up, cleaning and x-rays as necessary and having a health diet.
Basic Dental Care Points
Here are some basic points to perform your dental care at home:
Brushing:
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. Electrical tooth brushes do better job in removing plaque than manual brushes. Use brushes that are soft and stay away from medium and hard tooth brushes. They will remove the enamel portion of your teeth which is the hard structure causing sensitivity and gum recession. Also do not press hard when brushing. The advantages of electric tooth brushes are that it would brush on its own and you do not need to place pressure on your tooth brush causing further damage on your teeth.
Fluoride Supplements:
Always use fluoride tooth paste. Even for adults, fluoride reduces the chance of cavity. Tab water in most big cities contains fluoride. If you like to filter your tab water, the fluoride is not being removed. If you drink bottle water consider asking your doctor or dentist for supplemental fluoride.
Flossing:
No one likes to do it but we all have to do it. You need to floss all your teeth, everyday. Wax flosses are easier on the gums and reduces the chance of cutting the gums. Make sure you go behind the last molars when flossing. If you having a hard time flossing behind your wisdom teeth, ask your dentist if it is to your benefit to remove them.
Avoid Smoking!
Avoid smoking and smokeless tobaccos. Besides the obvious staining the teeth, it causes bad breath, gum disease and various oral cancer. It is never too late to stop smoking.
Say No To Sugary Drinks!
Stay away from sugary drinks and carbonated ones. If you have to have one, brush right after.
Don’t Forget Your Tongue!
When brushing your teeth, don’t forget to brush your tongue from back to front.
Regular Check Ups
See your dentist on regular bases at least twice a year. If there are minor issues or cavities, it is much easier to fix them when they are smaller. Waiting just makes things more difficult and costly.