Healthy Teeth And Gum Begin At Home

Healthy Teeth And Gum Begin At Home

Author: Karl Kranston

There are very few sounds in the world that can strike instant, bone-chilling fear in practically every human being. One of those sounds is the high-pitched whine that emanates from your dentist's drill. That sound is one of the most unpleasant sounds known to mankind.
Many people avoid going to the dentist because they associate the entire event with pain and discomfort. If you're one of those people and you postpone your dental appointments for as long as possible, then you should educate yourself on how to take better care of your teeth at home.
Do you realize that people associate youth and vitality with perfectly aligned, perfectly white teeth? If anti-aging is an interest of yours, then taking care of your teeth should be one of your top priorities. Compared to practically any form of anti-aging cosmetic surgery, at home dental care is very inexpensive and much easier to perform.
Plaque buildup is the number one enemy for healthy teeth and gum. The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and carbohydrates. The residue that is left over from their meal is plaque - a highly acidic substance that will eat away at your tooth enamel from the moment it is created.
Your toothbrush is your primary tool for removing plaque. You should brush your teeth after every meal and after every snack. Does that sound like a lot of work to you? It really isn't - brushing your teeth only takes a couple minutes of your time and will help keep your teeth and gum healthy for a lifetime.
A soft bristled toothbrush is the optimum choice for brushing your teeth. Medium and hard bristles can easily damage your gum - don't use them unless your dentist specifically tells you to do so.
Flossing is also important. You should thoroughly floss at least one time per day. In a perfect world, you would floss immediately after you brush your teeth, but we all have our limits and flossing once per day should suffice.
Battery powered toothbrushes that have spinning heads are the preferred type of toothbrush. These "power brushes" can remove up to 90% of the plaque from your teeth. Compare that to only about 40% plaque removal from the common toothbrush and you can see why the spin brushes are popular. Spinning toothbrushes range in price from $5 to $350. Personally, I prefer the cheap ones. I buy a new one every three or four months.
When it comes to toothpaste, you should try to use a brand that contains fluoride. It is believed that fluoride helps strengthen and harden your tooth enamel. Outside of fluoride, you'll have many toothpaste options to choose from, including: breath-freshening, tooth whitening, tartar control, and many others.
Ever heard of a dental pick? They are small pieces of plastic or wood and are specifically used to remove food debris from between your teeth and gum after a meal. They are quite effective at removing food particles. However, they can damage your gum if they are not used properly. They can be bought at your local grocery or drug store.
At-home dental care is important. You should have a routine that you perform every day, both in the morning and the evening. If you take care of your teeth from an early age, there is a good chance they'll take care of you throughout your life!
Please note: this article should not be interpreted as medical advice. Only a licensed, practicing physician should provide counsel regarding your health-related decisions.

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